In an initiative to ensure food security during post-COVID-19 times, the Church of South India (CSI) will join forces with cashew labourers to convert around 50 acres of fallow land into farmland. “Sixty-two churches coming under the Kollam-Kottarakkara Diocese spread across 12 church districts in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Pathanamthitta will take up organic farming with the help of KSCDC. Vegetables and other crops will be cultivated along with cashew plants and farming will start on June 5, World Environment Day,” says Bishop Oommen George. CM’s callIt is for the first time the CSI is attempting an elaborate and systematic farming plan and the Bishop says the decision was inspired by Chief Minister’s (CM’s) call to attain self-sufficiency in food production. KSCDC had formed a plantation wing, training its mainly female workforce in organic farming in a bid to provide them maximum working days.

Source: The Hindu May 29, 2020 14:26 UTC