The Hindu : Paddy development scheme comes in for criticism

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Feb 16, 2004

Kerala

Kerala

Paddy development scheme comes in for criticism

By A. Harikumar

ALAPPUZHA, FEB. 15. The Rs. 200-crore comprehensive paddy development scheme proposed by the State Agriculture Ministry for Kuttanad seems to have ignored some of the basic problems that cause recurring natural calamities, which damage the paddy crop there.

It has been pointed out that while funds have been earmarked for the construction of stone barrages around paddy fields to prevent the entry of floodwater, the scheme has not proposed any flood-control measures.

The scheme offers no solution to prevent the entry of saltwater into the paddy fields of Kuttanad. It has allocated only a meagre amount for the construction of modern godowns.

The draft scheme prepared by the Agriculture Ministry aims to protect the paddy cultivation on 33,000 hectares of fields in Kuttanad that is spread over Alappuzha, Kottayam and Pathanamthitta districts.

The scheme aims at protecting the existing paddy cultivation in Kuttanad and at increasing the production of paddy in the area. It also aims at breeding fish on 10,000 hectares of paddy fields. The scheme is proposed to be implemented with the help of Nabard.

The scheme would soon be submitted for the approval of the Cabinet.

The Agriculture Minister, K.R. Gouri, had recently assured farmers in Kuttanad that the State Government would soon approve the project.

It has been pointed out that almost 50 per cent of the funds of the scheme has been earmarked for the construction of stone barrages around the paddy fields. While a sum of Rs.58 crores has been set apart for widening the outer barrages, a sum of Rs.39 crores has been allocated for strengthening the existing barrages using rubble.

The scheme has allotted Rs.20 crores for construction of roads and Rs.10 crores for construction of barricades between fields. The scheme has also allocated Rs.20 crores for administrative expenses and Rs.12 crores for construction of sheds and raising of fields to erect motors needed for pumping out floodwater that enter the fields.

Fr. Thomas Peelianikkal, executive director of Kuttanad Vikasana Samiti, pointed out that the scheme had not proposed any measures to control the entry of saltwater into the paddy fields in Kuttanad.

"Almost 50 per cent of the fields in Kuttanad have been affected by the intrusion of saline water," Fr. Peelianikkal pointed out.

He said that the scheme did not include any provision for the renovation of the Thottappally spillway and the Thannermukkom barrages that regulate the flow of floodwater from Kuttanad into the sea.

"Instead of constructing rubble barrages to protect the fields from floods, the Government should moot flood-control measures. The canals of Kuttanad should be deepened to facilitate the flow of water. At present, the Alappuzha-Changanassery canal is closed," he pointed out.

The unscientific barrier across the Pampa, between `C block' and `D block' in Kuttanad, was another factor leading to floods, he said.

The barrier should be demolished to facilitate free flow of water through the Pampa to the Vembanad Lake, he explained.

Fr. Peelianikkal felt that the Rs.6 crores allotted for the construction of godowns was insufficient.

The 30 godowns proposed to be built cannot store more than 12,000 tonnes of paddy. This is not sufficient, considering the total paddy production of two lakh tonnes in Kuttanad, he said.

Fr. Peelianikkal said that the authorities should take the initiative to build modern warehouses at places such as Kayalpadam, Kavalam, Pulicunnu, Kainakary and Nedumudy, where large quantities of paddy is produced.

The authorities should also explore ways to strengthen existing barrages through natural ways, he said.

He pointed out that the stone barrages would damage the eco-system of the region. Fr. Peelianikkal demanded that the scheme be finalised only after discussions with farmers.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Kerala