Police at headquarters becoming adept farmers

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Police Headquarters at Vellayambalam continues to add more leaves to its biodiversity expedition. It has now planted a set of around 200 vegetable saplings on the premises under the ‘Pachakkari Samrudhi Nadinum Nagarathinum’ project, a joint venture of the State Horticulture Mission and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY).   The project on the headquarters premises was inaugurated by Director General of Police Jacob Punnoose and State Horticulture Mission Director K Prathapan here on Friday by planting cabbage saplings.    On behalf of the project, 100 Low Density Poly Ethylene (LDPE) grow bags and saplings were supplied by the ‘Karshika Karma Sena’ of Krishi Bhavan, Kudappanakkunnu.  Bags were filled with potting mixture comprising soil, sand and organic manure. Saplings of cabbage, cauliflower, brinjal, lady’s finger, chilly and spinach were supplied . According to Mini C L, Agricultural Officer of Krishi Bhavan, Kudappanakunnu, “saplings were distributed in such a manner that a maximum of two plants could be grown inside one bag. Without foliage overlapping, the bags could be replaced accordingly as and when the plants attain full growth. Transplantation too will, therefore, be easy.’’  In order to achieve this, a distance of some 50 cm is maintained between every bag.   Plants need to be applied organic manure such as vermicompost, a mixture of dried cow dung and poultry manure or a mixture of neem cake and bone powder for top dressing. Grow bags designed for terrace farming at homes were also distributed.  The bag is capable of withstanding solar radiation and is reliable for up to three years. A unit of 25 bags was supplied to a home each and four  such units were supplied to the police headquarters as well. The project is aimed at promoting organic farming by utilising every inch of available land.  “The yield from 50 bags can fulfil nearly 85 per cent of the vegetable requirement of a home,” says Mini. The police headquarters already has a good record of reaping cabbages and cauliflowers and is all set to harvest the maize grown on the premises soon. Plants are taken care of by the Camp Followers of the headquarters. Assistant Director General of Police Mahesh Kumar Singla was also present on the occasion.