A government-appointed committee has recommended modern agricultural practices to meet the increasing food demand in Ernakulam district.

The committee constituted to formulate the State’s agricultural policy also suggested a rapid increase in the production of rice, egg and meat. Farmers can even seek foreign technology to achieve the target, it said.

R. Hali, agricultural expert, who participated in the meeting here, pointed out the need to notify special zones in the district to promote pokkali farming. The advantages of pokkali rice, which enjoyed the protection of Geographical Indication certificate, should be explored to promote the farming.

He said vegetable and fruit farming could be extensively done in the eastern region of the district, while promoting coconut farming on the western side. Value-addition of agricultural produce also held a lot of potential here.

Suggesting that every family could be encouraged to take up agricultural activities, Hali said that many people would come into the field, if it helped in improving their earnings. The panchayat-level samithis for development of agriculture should be provided financial support, he added

Former MLA K. Krishnankutty, who is heading the committee, said that export-oriented agriculture should be promoted in the district by utilising the facilities available at the Cochin International Airport.

Various types of vegetables and fruits could be produced here after assessing the seasonal demand in the Gulf and other countries. Fruits and vegetables could also be taken to various parts of the country through refrigerated railway wagons and containers.

R. Ajith Kumar, director of the Department of Agriculture, stressed the need for diversification as traditional coconut farming was not yielding profits for the farmers.

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