The sixth edition of India International Food and Agri-Aqua Expo got underway here on Thursday with a call from Minister for Public Works V. K. Ebrahim Kunju to scientists and researchers to bring back agriculture in the State.
Inaugurating the five-day expo, the Minister said farmers in the State were a harried lot and that agriculture had not proved lucrative. However, it was possible to bring back agriculture, he said.
He said he was in support of providing subsidy for food production so that food security could be ensured.
Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies and Foundation for Organic Agriculture and Rural Development are the organisers of the five-day expo. The programme is supported by National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development; Kerala State Department of Agriculture; MPEDA; Coconut Development Board and Directorate of Arecanut and Spices Development.
One of the focus areas of the five-day programme is organic agriculture. India Organic Fair and workshops on organic methods of agriculture will be held over the coming days. A seafood stall is an added attraction at the show. Students from KUFOS are directly involved in the preparation and sale of traditional delicacies. Vice Chancellor of KUFOS B. Madhusoodana Kurup delivered the keynote address at the inauguration of the event.
