The Agriculture Minister, Mr K.P. Mohanan, has said that a comprehensive Rs 42.5-crore horticulture development programme will be launched in the State.

The aim is to achieve self-sufficiency in horticultural production, the Minister added. As part of the programme, horticultural seeds will be distributed among school children.

The Chief Minister, Mr Oommen Chandy, will inaugurate the programme at a function at the Holy Angels School premises here on Monday, the Minister said.