The Hindu : Kerala News : Lease-land farming takes root in Thrissur

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Monday, Jan 10, 2005

Kerala

Kerala

Lease-land farming takes root in Thrissur

By K. Santhosh

Members of Kudumbasree's Ayalkoottam on the land leased by them for farming at ward six of Kuzhoor panchayat, near Mala, in Thrissur district.

THRISSUR, JAN. 9. Kudumbasree is poised to develop its lease-land farming project in Thrissur district.

According to M. Abdul Latheef, assistant district mission coordinator, lease-land farming in the district by members of Kudumbasree would cover about 1,000 hectares by the end of 2005.

"Unlike in Wayanad, Ernakulam, Idukki or Pathanathitta, lease-land farming by Kudumbasree in Thrissur has not made rapid progress. Thrissur holds the ninth place in regard to the total area under cultivation. But we want to change this and make Thrissur a major centre. Our activities in 2004 had been fairly successful," claims Mr. Latheef.

Benefitting women

As many as 7,410 women from 74 panchayats, belonging to Kudumbasree's 651 Neighbourhood Groups (Ayalkoottam), are currently engaged in lease-land farming. The area under cultivation is 447.2 hectares. The crops comprise paddy (270 hectares), plantain (81 hectares), vegetables (68 hectares), tapioca (16 hectares), tubers (eight hectares), flowering plants (2.4 hectares) and betel-wine (1.8 hectares).

"The entire work, except driving tractors, is being done by women. It has made a huge difference to the lives of women," says Shajitha Musthafa, chairperson of the Kudumbasree unit at Velur panchayat, near Kunnamkulam.

Each Neighbourhood Group has between five and 20 members. "A group shells out about Rs. 12,000 to cultivate paddy on one acre of land. The land is leased at about Rs. 7,000 an acre for paddy or vegetable cultivation, and Rs. 10 a plant for plantain farming.

The gross earnings from a one-acre paddy field are about Rs. 15,300. There is crop rotation. The women raise the money through personal loans and the amount allocated under the women component of panchayat Plan funds," says Mr. Latheef.

Among the problems faced by women farmers are high rents for leasing land. "The Government should do something to bring down the rates," Ms. Musthafa says.

No subsidy

Another problem: these women farmers are not entitled to subsidy from Kudumbasree. "Only a micro enterprise, such as coconut oil production, enables provision of subsidy. Much to our difficulty, annual farming is not seen by officials as a micro enterprise," laments Lakshmi, a farmer.

Kudumbasree plans to introduce organic farming in different parts of the district. New crops will also be introduced. Stevia, a herb, is one such. The herb, used by Guarani Indians, is a substitute for sugar and diabetic safe.

"A private agency will be entrusted with the task of collecting Stevia leaves and packaging them," says Mr. Latheef.

Twenty women from Kodakara and Tholoor panchayats were recently trained by Kudumbasree in using mechanised transplanters for paddy cultivation. "Transplanters are usually operated by men. It was for the first time in the State that women were trained in using the equipment," claims Mr. Latheef.

According to Kudumbasree, there are about 20 transplanters in the district, each costing Rs. 1.6 lakhs, provided by the Agriculture Department to the Pada Sekhara Samithys.

"Transplanting seedlings usually costs Rs. 3,000 an acre. Using mechanised transplanters, the cost can be brought down to Rs. 1,500."

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