The Kerala State Horticultural Products Development Corporation (Horticorp) will procure eggs produced in Mararikulam North grama panchayat under the egg village project.
The decision follows huge losses suffered by farmers after 25,000 eggs got spoilt last week due to lack of takers. Agriculture Minister V.S. Sunil Kumar has given direction to Horticorp in this regard.
The local body launched the project with the help of the Kudumbasree Mission a year ago in 18 wards to ensure employment for women in the panchayat.
Meanwhile, panchayat officials said they started the project after the Kerala State Poultry Development Corporation (Kepco) agreed to purchase eggs. “The project aims at producing two lakh eggs every month. Kepco has agreed to purchase eggs four times a month. They told us that they would procure at least 25,000 eggs at a time. However in May, Kepco procured only 10,000 eggs. Wholesale dealers also stopped purchasing eggs and it has resulted in a crisis. We hope the Horticorp’s move to purchase eggs will bring some relief to farmers,” said an official.