The adoption of squirrel (Chillu the squirrel) as the mascot for the ambitious ‘Njangalum Krishiyilekku’ (We are also into farming) campaign by the Agriculture department to promote cultivation of safe-to-eat vegetables and fruits in every bit of space available in the State, including on terraces, appears to have caused heartburn among a section of farmers.
They see the squeaky little creature, which appears in most books for children, as a villain causing extensive damage to crops varying from cocoa and nutmeg to rambutan and coconut with mangosteen, papaya and others in between.
B. John Pedickattukunnel, a farmer in Muvattupuzha, says in a recent Facebook post that the squirrel, the ‘symbol of luck’ identified by the department for its campaign, is a major menace to the farming community, especially fruit farmers.
