Kerala Agriculture Minister T. Siddique has said that the government is working towards expanding farming activities to “every available space” in the State, including backyards, terraces, small plots and fallow lands.

He was inaugurating a harvest festival of black gram cultivation at the Mundur Thazham-Peramangalam Karuka kole fields on Friday.

The Minister said efforts are underway to reverse the declining interest of the younger generation in agriculture. As part of this, the Kathir project has been launched to connect students with farming. “Farm clubs will be set up in schools across the State in collaboration with the Education department,” he said, adding that a coordinated committee involving teachers, local bodies, agriculture officials and farmers will oversee the initiative.

Highlighting the potential for large-scale cultivation of pulses, including black gram, he said a “major agricultural transformation” could be achieved if multi-state cooperative societies, financial institutions, farmers and both Central and State governments work together.

The cultivation project at Mundur Thazham and Peramangalam kole fields was implemented with the support of Kaiparambu Krishi Bhavan, Kaiparambu Grama Panchayat, Mundur Service Cooperative Bank and ESAF Cooperative.

The function was presided over by MLA Xavier Chittilappilly. Puzhakkal Block Panchayat President Lakshmi Viswambharan attended as chief guest, while ESAF MD Paul Thomas delivered the keynote address.

Farmers were honoured at the function, which also featured a seminar on agriculture and climate. Local body representatives, agriculture officials and farmers participated in the programme.