Two months after torrential rains ravaged Kerala, a state run unit launched its programme of free 100 bags of cattle feed and 700 kg mineral mix to help dairy farmers whose business has taken a hit in the calamity.

The project, named 'Snehasparsham' ('Touch of Love'), was inaugurated by the Kerala Feeds' Managing Director B Sreekumar at a function in this town of the hill district that was one of the worst hit in the August deluge.

At a function in the district cooperative bank here, five farmers were handed over Kerala Feed's Keramin a mineral mix meant to improve reproductive efficiency in cattle.

The rest 95 in the lot will get their share directly from the company this month, Sreekumar said.

The selected farmers were identified by the state dairy development department.

Kerala Feeds Snehasparsham project is being carried out in seven districts, worst-affected by the floods, Sreekumar said.

To be carried out in three phases, Monday's function marked the start of the second phase.

The first phase was completed last month when the PSU sold cattle feedbags at a discount of Rs 100, a release said here.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)