Commodity Online
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A national horticulture research centre will be established at the orange and vegetable farm in Nelliampathy, as part of the plan to revive the farm.

According to Kerala agriculture minister Mullakara Ratnakaran, a decision in this regard was taken at a review meeting of the state horticulture mission.

The meeting also decided to set up a modern fruit processing plant and raise a fruit garden at Nelliampathy. The orange cultivation in the area will also be expanded.

The Agro Fruit Products, which was producing ‘Jyothi’ mango juice at Punalur, will also be revived.

Besides, the basic infrastructure for marketing of honey, mushrooms and flowers would be developed. The meeting resolved to organise a honey congress in March and a mango festival in April this year. These apart, a national horticulture expo will also be organised in January 2009.

The functioning of the state horticulture mission would be strengthened.