KOCHI: The genuine efforts of the people of Cheriyathekkanam, a small island near Aluva, where agriculture is the main occupation, are going awry with the state government giving scant attention to its development. When there is a hue and cry over the unavailability of vegetables from the neighbouring states, the neglect shown to the people of Cheriyathekkanam is quite astonishing. Cheriyathekkanam had created history by bagging a number of awards, including the Harithgramam Award.According to A P Venugopal, who is the recipient of over 10 awards, including the 2004 Harithamitra Award, the state government has hardly done anything to promote agriculture in the area. But he said that they had received help from the Vegetable and Fruit Promotion Council, Keralam (VFPCK.) He said that the price hike of fertilisers was a real jolt to them. “It is said that the government has been giving pension to the farmers. But we have not received anything so far,” he said. Apart from these, the absence of good markets and the decrease in the price of agricultural products have added to the woes.An island spread over 370 acres, Cheriyathekkanam boasts of several varieties of vegetables and fruits. There are hardly any plots left on the island which are under-utilised. Last year, the islanders had sold bananas and vegetables worth `2 crore. The place also witnessed the sale of about 90,000 litres of milk last year. Though it was selected as Harithgramam, the farmers are yet to get their due from the state government. Principal Agricultural officer Asha Varma Thampuratti told ‘Express’ that they were doing everything possible with the funds obtained from the government. “We do not have a big role to play here. Most of the funds allocated by the government are for the local bodies. If they need any help, the grama panchayats should formulate policies and submit them to the Agriculture Department so that we can sanction them,” she said.
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