Don’t waste farm produce: Farmers

Udhagamandalam: The Nilgiri Farmers’ Welfare Association has appealed district collector J Innocent Divya not to waste fruits and vegetables in the name of erecting structures for the annual flower and fruit shows. “Wasting fruits and vegetables hurts the sentiments of the farmers,” it said in a letter addressed to the collector.
Normally, tonnes of fruits are used to make replicas of various models during the annual fruit show at Sim’s Park. Similarly, tonnes of vegetables are used for the vegetable show at Kotagiri.
N Viswanathan, president of the association said, “When any farm product goes waste, it hurts us. Farm products are our sweat and blood. We had made similar representations to the district administration in the past as well.”
He said they were not against the shows. “But edible items cannot be wasted in the name of shows. Some two decades ago, there was no such culture of displaying models made of fruits/vegetables.” Because of the model code of conduct, the vegetable show has been cancelled this year. However, the fruit show will begin at Sim’s Park in Coonoor on May 25. tnn