Thalassery: The merchants in Thalassery are trying their hand in organic farming. They thought of cultivation when the arrival of vegetables from other places decreased during the lockdown period. It has been 50 days since they planted vegetable seeds and harvest has commenced.
The hi-tech organic vegetable farming was started at three places in the city. The produce is sold for a cost less than the price in the online markets. Bitter gourd, okra, tomato, bird’s eye chilli, green chilli, cucumber, cauliflower and long beans were harvested the other day.
At present, the vegetables are sold at the office of the Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi. They are planning to harvest more vegetables in the coming days and improve the sales.
Tomato is sold for Rs 50 per kilogram. Organic tomato costs Rs 70 in online markets. But the tomato brought from other states costs only Rs 25. The merchants do not use any pesticides. They planted marigold flowers in the farm to attract the insects. These plants also bloomed well.
First, they had planned to let the customers directly collect the produce from the farm. As this is not practical, they decided to harvest the vegetables and sell them. Four labourers were appointed for this purpose. The cultivation was started in cooperation with Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi welfare society and Marari Fresh.