In Thiruvananthapuram, India, vegetables grown and harvested at the official residences of the chief minister and agriculture minister sold out in less than 30 minutes at the eco-shop there on Tuesday 6 September. Fifteen kilogrammes of spinach and 5kg of ladies finger and beans were sold out in record time.
"At eco-shop we usually display products with the names of the farmer who actually grew the vegetables. We did the same for vegetables harvested from the ministers' houses and the public queued up to purchase the vegetables," said C L Mini, agricultural officer.
Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan launched terraced farming at his official residence in July.
Seeds of eight vegetables were sown in 100 grow bags and the project was monitored by the department of agriculture with assistance from Karshika Karmasena.
According to officials, the chief minister had personally chosen the vegetables to be grown on the terrace of his official residence. Tomato, bitter gourd, spinach, mint leaves and snake gourd are some of the vegetables growing there.
Mini C L said that harvest will continue in the following days. "We are selling surplus yield generated from the minister's houses," said Mini.
The eco-shops, launched recently, sell products procured from nearly 100 farmers mostly from urban areas.
"The organic farming at the Minister's residences has come as a major boost for lot of people in the city. Besides eco shops ensure good price for the products,'' Mini added.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
