Kerala Vishu markets on April 13, 14

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Agriculture Department, in association with various agencies, will open 1,105 fruit and vegetable markets across the state this Vishu season. Christened ‘Vishukkani 2018,’ the markets will function on April 13 and 14. The Agriculture Department is opening the markets in association with the Kudumbashree, Kerala State Horticultural Products Development Corporation (Horticorp) and the Vegetables and Fruits Promotion Council, Keralam (VFPCK), Agriculture Minister V S Sunil Kumar said. 

Locally grown fruits and vegetables will be purchased from farmers at ten per cent higher price and sold to the public through the shops at 30 per cent discount. The ‘Kerala Organic’ produce with the Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)-tag also will be available in the market this season. GAP produce will be purchased from the farmers at 20 per cent higher price and sold at a ten per cent discount to the public. Sunil Kumar will perform the state-wide inauguration of the Vishu markets at the Horticorp district procurement centre at Kakkanad, Ernakulam, on Thursday. 

The Agriculture Department plans to strengthen market intervention in the months to come, the minister said. Vegetables that are not produced in the state will be procured from outside. They will sport special labels when sold in the state.