Thodupuzha: A minister and former minister based in Idukki district have turned busy farmers during the lockdown period. Both Electricity Minister M M Mani and P J Joseph, who is currently a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA), are giving more attention to agriculture on their house premises.
A hectic schedule as minister had so far prevented Mani from giving attention to the plants and trees on his 20-acre farm. However, the lockdown has given him much spare time.
Mani is now a part of the Haritha Keralam Mission's project which seeks to promote vegetable farming on residential premises. He is planning to give a boost to crops such as beans.
Meanwhile, even before the lockdown, Joseph had been regularly visiting his farm to monitor agricultural as well as dairying activities. The restrictions on movement outside have enabled the former minister to spend his entire time at the farm attached to his house.
Joseph’s farm boasts of crops such as various varieties of vegetables, papayas and bananas. During the lockdown, he is experimenting with new species like Vietnam jackfruit and Apache.
“I’ve promoted ideas like organic farming and pesticide-free Kerala since long ago. Many people also joined the ‘Agri-Challenge’ I launched to give a fillip to agriculture during the lockdown period,” said Joseph.
