In its efforts to go organic, Vazhakkulam Pineapple Growers and Processors (Agro Park) has started encouraging the usage of zero residue technology for pineapple farming.

The organisation has joined hands with Camson Biotechnologies to demonstrate the advantages of zero residue farming for its 200 key members at nearby Muvattupuzha.

Agro Park is a farmer association that reach out to over 500 large pineapple growers who cultivate the fruit in over 13,000 hectares across Kerala.

Besides going organic, the adaption to zero residue technology will help every farmer associated with the park to go eco friendly, reduce cultivation cost as well as boosting yields by improving the land conditions, Baby John, Executive Director, Agro Park said.

Considering the health of the farmer, the management advised all the members to shift towards using secondary metabolites based input to balance the eco system and avoid any kind of compromise. It also performed a test and field trials of secondary metabolites inputs and, which is much advanced and proven alternative to replace chemical inputs. The efficacy of such products is at par with any chemical inputs and zero residues in nature.

The usage of secondary metabolites based inputs will not only enhance the soil quality but also help in zero residue produce. “It is an effort to introduce the best practices within the organisation”, he added.

At a time when the demand for organic produce is growing and the market is paying a premium for residue free products, the zero residue produce will help farmers to fetch better returns, Joy Mathew, Managing Director, Agro Park said.

“We are seeing an increasing demand for secondary metabolites products in Kerala and larger government and private institutions are taking keen interest to implement the best practices in order”, Sundaresh Krishnamoorthy, Country Head Institutional Business, Camson Biotechnologies.

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