Kochi:
In an initiative to promote organic farm practices on grassroot level, CPI(M) in Kerala has embarked on a programme roping in the labour force for cultivating pesticide-free vegetables and fruits across the state.
The party claims that such creative ventures will bring them political dividends at a time when they are fighting to maintain its relevance in a fast-changing political landscape, particularly in Kerala.
Ernakulam district committee of CPI(M), headed by former Rajya Sabha MP P Rajeeve, is one such unit of the party in the state which has unleashed an "organic revolution", channelising the energy of its thousands of red volunteers into pesticide-free farm practices.
Talking to PTI, Mr Rajeev narrated the steps taken by the party to create awareness among people on the health benefits of organic vegetables.
He said the party, through the cooperative societies controlled by it, is in the process of organising 'Self Help Groups' (SHGs) of organic farmers.
"Such SHGs get interest-free loans from the cooperative societies. It is the duty of the societies to create a market for the products produced by the SHGs," Rajeeve said.
He said CPI(M) utilises its labour strength for organic farming converting them as "a green army" which is registered under the cooperative societies in villages.
Rajeeve said the concept of Green Army, means army of the agricultural labourers, was developed by some cooperative societies controlled by the party.
Members of green army are given basic training in organic farm cultivation through cooperative societies controlled by the CPI(M), the ex-MP said.