The Agro Biotechnology Agency for Rural Employment Development (ABARD) has opened a seed bank. Seeds will be offered to city-dwellers for raising kitchen gardens. Tubers, coconut, paddy, mango, banana, cereals, pulses, medicinal plants and seeds of various vegetables will be made available at the centre. A joint venture of the Thrissur Corporation and the Kerala Agricultural University, the ABARD centre will provide high-quality seeds to those who register their names with the centre. The seeds would be procured from various ABARD centres, organic farmers and the agricultural university, ABARD officials said. The project, which is part of the government's food security project, aims at promoting minor farming and horticulture. Creating awareness among the city dwellers on healthy agricultural practices is one of the major objectives of the project, says ABARD chief coordinator Pathiyoor Gopinath. Nearly 500 people who register first at the seed bank will get seeds and organic manure at 25 per cent discount. The centre will also help people set up vermi-compost units. Those who want seeds and manure should register before March 25.
The Hindu, 5th March 2009
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