A successful marketing platform for rural farmers in Kochi’s Muvattupuzha

When the first spell of showers in May threatened to literally pour cold water over their months of hard labour, tapioca farmers in Ayavana panchayat in Muvattupuzha block approached the agriculture d

When the first spell of showers in May threatened to literally pour cold water over their months of hard labour, tapioca farmers in Ayavana panchayat in Muvattupuzha block approached the agriculture department to save their crop and help to sell them. The department sought the help of a corporate major, and with the help of their corporate social responsibility funding, procured tapioca from the farmers and distributed them for community kitchens and free food kits along the coastal areas. “The initiative organised by the department officials switched to a more sustainable model when the eco shop, an initiative of the agriculture department for the marketing of rural farm produce, of Ayavana panchayat joined the force. Since then the initiative has been running smoothly and it could be even tried in other panchayats in Muvattupuzha block,” said Tany Thomas, agriculture assistant director, Muvattupuzha block.