KALPETTA: Kerala Minister for Agriculture V.S. Sunil Kumar has said that the government has initiated a series of efforts to develop Wayanad district as the floriculture hub of the State.
Speaking after inaugurating the fifth edition of Pooppoli, the international flori-fest and exhibition, at the Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS), Ambalavayal, on Monday, Sunil Kumar said that Wayanad had been designated as special zone for floriculture and aromatic rice cultivation, reports The Hindu.
The 18-day fete is being organised jointly by the Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) and the Department of Agriculture Development and Farmers’ Welfare.
“The RARS will host an international floriculture symposium, organised by the Indian Orchid Society, by the first week of March and 10 hectares of land of the research station will be set apart for research on floriculture as a part of tapping the floriculture potential of the district,” the Minister said.
“Apart from making Pooppoli an annual event figuring in the tourism calendar, it has also been decided to host an international jackfruit fest at Ambalavayal,” he said.
Mr. Sunil Kumar said steps had been initiated to ensure the quality of planting materials.
The Agriculture Department would procure seeds and planting materials only from government agencies such as KAU and public sector undertakings.
