The UDF government will launch ‘Kathir’, a school-based agricultural initiative aimed at fostering an interest in farming among children and encouraging the next generation to take up agriculture, Agriculture Minister T. Siddique has said. The Minister announced the initiative while inaugurating paddy cultivation on fallow land and hybrid vegetable planting under the ‘Navo-Dhan’ project at Valappad on Friday.

As part of the programme, agricultural clubs will be formed in schools across the State, enabling students to participate in farming activities ranging from sowing to harvesting through hands-on training. Where schools lack cultivable land, special committees will be constituted to identify suitable plots for cultivation, the Minister said.

The State government will provide financial assistance of ₹10,000 to each participating school to implement the programme. Mr. Siddique said the government, in consultation with the General Education department, had also decided to introduce weightage marks for students who actively participate in Kathir clubs. “The objective is to make agriculture an integral part of students’ learning experience and nurture an agricultural mindset, environmental awareness and self-reliance among children,” he said.

The Minister also announced a five-year ‘Krishi Sakhi’ programme aimed at increasing women’s participation in agriculture and strengthening their economic self-reliance. Geetha Gopi, MLA, presided over the function held at the C.P. Agricultural Farm, Valappad. District panchayat president Mary Thomas and Thrissur Rural District Police Chief Mohammed Nadeemuddin were among those present.

Published - August 08, 2026 06:57 pm IST