Kerala marching towards self-sufficiency in vegetables; govt schemes offer hope

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With pesticide residue in vegetables from other states becoming a major threat, more people in Kerala have turned to cultivating their own vegetables. Agriculture department officials expect a record production this year through initiatives like 'Onathinoru Muram Pachakkari', implemented via the state’s 1,076 Krishi Bhavans, and the Krishi Samruddhi scheme, carried out in three phases in coordination with local self-government bodies.

In 2024, Kerala harvested 17.21 lakh metric tonnes of vegetables from 1,15,000 hectares of farmland.

The state needs an average of 20-21 lakh tonnes of vegetables every year. At present, only 4-5 lakh tonnes are brought in from neighbouring states- a major change from eight years ago, when Kerala imported 14 lakh tonnes. The rise in household vegetable cultivation and the use of previously unused paddy fields and plots have greatly boosted local production.

Onathinoru Muram Pachakkari

As part of the scheme, 25 lakh vegetable seed packets and 100 lakh seedlings of various vegetable varieties were distributed to farmers through Krishi Bhavans. In addition, 2,00,000 saplings of long-term vegetable plants like drumstick, curry leaf, and agathi spinach were also given out. A further 20 lakh seed packets of high-yield hybrid varieties were also distributed. Officials believe the harvest from these will bring a significant jump in production.

Year-wise data on cultivation and yield:

Year...………….Cultivated area (hectares).....Yield (lakh tonnes)

2015–16............60,850.......................................6.28

2019–20............96,313......................................14.93

2020–21............1.06 lakh...................................15.72

2021–22............1.22 lakh...................................15.70

2022–23............1.23 lakh...................................16.05

2023–24............1.15 lakh...................................17.21

2024–25............1.10 lakh...................................17.20