Thiruvananthapuram: A large-scale vegetable cultivation drive is underway at the Raj Bhavan campus to supply fresh produce and chips to the public during the upcoming Onam season. Additionally, in a move to promote cultural activities, the Raj Bhavan auditorium will be opened to host various art forms, including dance, music, and painting. Proceeds from the Onam market sales will go towards supporting individuals in distress.

Spread across 50 acres, the Raj Bhavan now cultivates a wide variety of vegetables, including snake gourd, spinach, drumstick, sweet potato, tapioca, ash gourd, pumpkins, and yard-long beans. Over 1,000 plantain trees, of the Palayamkodan and Rasakadali varieties, have also been planted. A proper storage and distribution system is being set up for the farm produce. Plans are also in place to begin beekeeping and fish farming in the four ponds on the campus.

These initiatives are part of Governor Rajendra Arlekar’s efforts to make Raj Bhavan more accessible and people-centric. In collaboration with the Palode Tropical Botanic Garden, a herbal garden and bamboo grove are also being developed. The Raj Bhavan cattle farm currently rears four cows (including the indigenous Vechur breed), four oxen, and several goats. All milk used on campus is sourced from this farm.