Kallar horticulture farm to now offer vermicompost and honey

Coimbatore: The state horticulture farm at Kallar near Mettupalayam in the district has taken up production of vermicompost and honey, in addition to the principal activity of producing fruit saplings, from this year to increase its income.
A horticulture officer said they had started with two vermicompost beds earlier this year. “Now, we have 14 vermicompost beds with a capacity of two tonnes each. We use animal manure as raw material. If we fill one tonne raw material in a bed, we would get 800kg compost in three months.”
He said they had produced around a tonne compost so far and they had been looking to market the same at Rs 10 per kilogram. “We are looking at producing another 10 tonnes compost in three months. We expect people, who buy fruit saplings, to buy vermicompost as well.”
The official said the honey production was started last month by setting up five beehive boxes. “We would harvest honey once in three months. We expect demand for honey also.”
The farm is being renovated at a cost of Rs 50 lakh to make it an eco-tourism hub with a food court, gazebos, children’s play area, footpaths and reverse osmosis (RO) drinking water system. The 22-acre farm produces saplings of fruit trees such as mangosteen, durian, jack, custard apple and avocado.
According to the official, the facility focuses on sub-tropical fruit saplings. “We have also, however, produced ornamental and indoor plants.”