POTENTIAL UNEXPLOITED: The EEC-aided agriculture market at Muvattupouzha is under-utilised, with most of the shops and godowns yet to be rented out.The Muvattupuzha municipality will organise Muvattupuzha Fest '06, a 10-day agro-industrial fair, at the European Economic Community-aided wholesale agricultural market there from January 26.
On display will be agricultural produce, livestock, fruit and flowering plants, ornamental fishes, handicrafts and other items. There will also be dozens of commercial stalls. An amusement park is being set up to entertain people.
The organisers said that there would be more stalls as compared to the previous years. Stalls will be put up by the Medical College, ISRO, Coir Board, Kerafed and Government Departments like Agriculture and Water Resources.
In the evening, cultural programmes will be organised. Seminars on topics like water scarcity, development potential of Muvattupuzha, threats to the environment, etc., will be held. The Pineapple Farmers' Association, Vazhakulam, will give an award to the best farmer.
On display will be agricultural produce, livestock, fruit and flowering plants, ornamental fishes, handicrafts and other items. There will also be dozens of commercial stalls. An amusement park is being set up to entertain people.
The organisers said that there would be more stalls as compared to the previous years. Stalls will be put up by the Medical College, ISRO, Coir Board, Kerafed and Government Departments like Agriculture and Water Resources.
In the evening, cultural programmes will be organised. Seminars on topics like water scarcity, development potential of Muvattupuzha, threats to the environment, etc., will be held. The Pineapple Farmers' Association, Vazhakulam, will give an award to the best farmer.
The fest is being organised each year to revitalise the EEC market, which is spread over 15 acres in Muvattupuzha town. Many exporters of agricultural products had evinced keen interest in last year's agro-industrial fair.
Located in the agriculture belt, the market has got huge potential. With importance being given to food processing, facilities are being readied to set up storage and processing facilities in the market for agricultural produce. The market was lying under-utilised for the past seven years, mainly because of the lack of cold-storage facilities, promotion and the reluctance to shift the local market to the EEC market.
Following 2005's mela, exporters demanded cold-storage facilities there. The facility was a provision envisaged by the EEC, but was later dropped citing different reasons. Market officials have approached the National Horticulture Board (NHB) for availing of the scheme, which gives a 25 per cent subsidy for establishing a cold-storage facility.
The market was established with the aim of collecting, storing, processing and exporting agricultural produce with all their freshness. Once cold-storage facilities are established, pepper, pineapple, etc., which are available in plenty in the region, can be stored there for long duration. It is expected that the Muvattupuzha Fest will give an impetus for plans to revive the market.
The week-long agro-industrial fest organised in 2005 at the market had showcased agricultural and poultry produce, age-old implements used for farming, medicinal plants and a host of related items.
Located in the agriculture belt, the market has got huge potential. With importance being given to food processing, facilities are being readied to set up storage and processing facilities in the market for agricultural produce. The market was lying under-utilised for the past seven years, mainly because of the lack of cold-storage facilities, promotion and the reluctance to shift the local market to the EEC market.
Following 2005's mela, exporters demanded cold-storage facilities there. The facility was a provision envisaged by the EEC, but was later dropped citing different reasons. Market officials have approached the National Horticulture Board (NHB) for availing of the scheme, which gives a 25 per cent subsidy for establishing a cold-storage facility.
The market was established with the aim of collecting, storing, processing and exporting agricultural produce with all their freshness. Once cold-storage facilities are established, pepper, pineapple, etc., which are available in plenty in the region, can be stored there for long duration. It is expected that the Muvattupuzha Fest will give an impetus for plans to revive the market.
The week-long agro-industrial fest organised in 2005 at the market had showcased agricultural and poultry produce, age-old implements used for farming, medicinal plants and a host of related items.
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