An exhibition to retrieve the agrarian tradition

KANNUR: In an initiative to give a boost to agriculture, the Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) together with Thalassery Social Service Society (TSS) and Jeevassu Kasrgod is organizing Polika, an exhibition of farm products at the Town Square here from January 2 to 8.
The fair will have stalls run by the agriculture department, other public sector undertakings and private groups.There would be around 180 stalls exhibiting agricultural products cultivated using organic farming methods, sweet dishes and pickles made of fruits and vegetables.
Another attraction of the festival would be the exhibition of various tools used in traditional farming and classes on food processing and other self-employment projects, said the collector.
The seven-day fair will witness a variety of events. The two-day national seminar on food sovereignty would be inaugurated on January 5 by chief minister Oommen Chandy.
The Green School Awards to the schools that excelled in agricultural and environmental activities would be distributed on January 3 by K V Thomas, minister of state for agriculture, consumer affairs, food and public distribution.
A mass wedding programme is also organized on January 4, in which 35 financially backward or physically challenged women would participate.
There would also be a meet of the differently-abled kids and cultural programmes,.
A 101-member organizing committee has been formed under the chairmanship of district collector Anand Singh for the successful coordination of the programme.
Organizers said that the fair is an effort to bring back the lost tradition of many agricultural practices by displaying it among the new generation. Minister for local self government M K Muneer would inaugurate the fair on January 2 at 11 am. Kannur MP K Sudhakaran would preside over the function.