THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Agro enthusiasts were seen making a beeline for the Jaivasree Festival at Kanakakkunnu on Monday even as the event is set to conclude on Tuesday. The saplings of flowering plants, medicinal herbs and fruit trees were being sold in dozens, while a good number of city-bred children were seen lapping up the rare opportunity to behold live plant and fruit varieties. The festival, jointly organised by the Janasree Mission, Department of Agriculture and State Horticulture Mission, has stalls from all over the State displaying farm products like plantain varieties, yams, mushrooms, and other vegetables. The Banana Growers’ Association has many types of plantains brought down as huge bunches and also value-added products made from banana. The sugarless banana and the diabetes-friendly eatables made from it have been a major hit among the city residents. Another big scene-stealer has been the Swadishta Mushrooms, where the city-based growers serve hot mushroom sandwiches, cutlets and soup. Fresh-from-the-garden mushrooms are also on sale at the counter. The Agro Industries Corporation has displayed farming implements that can make home gardening a cinch. The hand-pumps, sprayers, and easy-to-manoeuvre lawn mowers have many takers with terrace and kitchen gardens catching up among city dwellers. There are also stalls that can provide important know-how for the agriculturists among the crowd. Apart from the direct interaction with seasoned farming professionals, tips can be sought from the officials of Horticulture Mission, Agro Industries and such. The whereabouts of training centres where coaching in farming, making of value-added products, bee-keeping and allied activities can be obtained from the venue. There are also counters of organisations like Indocert, which give organic certification to a variety of farming activities in compliance with Indian and American standards.
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