K.R. Gouri’s role in nurturing terrace cultivation in Thiruvananthapuram

K.R. Gouri was Minister for Agriculture in 2001 when, on the Onam celebrations of the Udarasiromani Road Residents’ Association in the capital metropolis, she noticed terrace cultivation undertaken by affiliation president and former director of the Farm Information Bureau T.K. Bhaskara Panicker.

That was a time when agriculture was largely concentrated in rural areas and there was little cultivation taking place in cities. But, impressed by Mr. Panicker, she come across the concept of implementing terrace cultivation on a bigger scale in cities. Mr. Panicker’s produce was grown organically, and the outcomes have been there for her to see. Ditching chemical farming, Ms. Gouri determined to go the natural approach.

Project help

Mr. Panicker then submitted the concept for ‘Nagarathil oru nattinpuram’ that was given the nod by the federal government. A gathering of choose venture beneficiaries was convened at her official residence and on the idea of their solutions, the Agriculture Department was directed to attract up a venture that promised technical and monetary help for beginning natural terrace cultivation in cities.

From Thiruvananthapuram metropolis, the scheme was prolonged to 4 extra cities. She monitored the particular squads of the division set as much as implement the venture.

Agriculture Department Assistant Director Thomas Mammen supervised the venture implementation, whereas Mr. Panicker was the venture coordinator. Free seeds and manure have been distributed by the division to residents’ associations through which the venture was applied.

“Only she could have done this. This was the time when chemical farming was rampant. Ms. Gouri created a revolution by switching to organic farming. She was the first to promote it. Today, governments have made organic cultivation a policy,” says 90-year-old Mr. Panicker.

Organic composting

It was owing to her efforts that the federal government recognised the scheme and allotted funds for it. “She was not only talk. She showed that it could be done. The project was received wholeheartedly by the people. Today, terrace cultivation has become widespread not only in urban areas but also in rural parts, and continues to increase. She also promoted organic composting of kitchen waste,” factors out Mr. Panicker, a former president of the Federation of Residents’ Associations Thiruvananthapuram (FRAT).

Ms. Gouri directed the eye of the Agriculture Department from cultivation solely in villages to that in cities and pioneered the concept of self-sufficiency in vegetable cultivation, an announcement from FRAT stated.

She additionally helped agriculture break away from the clutches of chemical and pesticide behemoths to make natural cultivation broadly widespread in the State, the assertion added.