From a state starved of its own vegetable production,Keralafarmers are taking the first steps to becoming exporters of nadan (locally produced) vegetables. The Kochi-headquartered vegetable and fruits promotion councilKeralam(VFPCK) is channelizing export quality products toWest Asiaand London this Onam.

What started off as a small step with the export of nendran bananas during Vishu sent via ship to Europe has now led to more farmer clusters joining in for exporting their produce. With around 2.5 lakh horticulturists in the state associated with VFPCK, the agency has already been getting purchase orders for bananas and nadan vegetables.