Inkel Limited, a Public Private Partnership initiative of Kerala government, has adopted modern agricultural technologies to help conserve water and increase production at its farm projects in the State.

The success of the technology – which involves nourishing plants with just the right quantity of water delivered drop by drop, right to their roots, unlike the wasteful flooding technique – has prompted Inkel to employ it at the farms being developed under its agri-business vertical. 

The technology is being pioneered in Piravom in Ernakulam district. Spread across five acres, the farm grows fruits including Redlady Papaya, Rambutan and plantains. The fruits are expected to be harvested in September-October this year, and the yield projected at over 50 tonnes.

According to T Balakrishnan, Managing Directror, Inkel, Kerala is over-dependent on neighbouring States for its food needs. According to estimates, vegetables worth around ₹3,000 crore are imported into the State every year. However, the State produces only about five lakh tonnes of vegetables of the total annual requirement of around 25 lakh tonnes. To bridge the demand-supply gap for safe-to-eat fruits and vegetables, Inkel has forayed into the modern farming business.

The company has also built polyhouses at Piravom and Malappuram for producing vegetables, including green chillies, yard long beans, bitter gourd and cucumber.

As part of its expansion plans, the firm is also implementing a modern farm at Palakkad. The venture will also support local farmers with training on modern farming techniques and practices.

Diverse technologies will be demonstrated to the farmers and they can opt for the one best suited for their crop. We will also plant fruits and vegetables in the area, he said.

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