Kerala - Kollam   

Bid to revive paddy farming at Maranad

Ignatius Pereira

An initiative by the Government Employees Welfare Society

NEW LEASE OF LIFE: The Maranad paddy field in Kollam district.

KOLLAM: At a time when traditional paddy fields are being wantonly reclaimed for real estate development and plantation crop farming, an attempt is being made in Pavithreswaram grama panchayat in the district to revive paddy cultivation in the Maranad paddy field which had been lying idle for the last several years. The initiative has been taken by the Government Employees Welfare Society (GEWS) through its Agro Service Centre.

In the past this 100-acre paddy field used to be richly cultivated since it had a permanent natural source of irrigation. However, when paddy cultivation turned expensive and unprofitable, farmers stopped cultivation and ignored the field.

Meanwhile there were attempts to convert portions of the field for real estate and other purposes. But those moves were discouraged through systematic campaigns. As a result no portion of the Maranad paddy field was converted for other purposes.

But on account of being ignored for years together and because of the fertility of the soil, the field was over taken by shrubs. It was at this juncture that GEWS moved in. All the farm owners were taken into confidence and assured 30 per cent of the returns from the harvest.

GEWS chairman Kollam Panikkar and Pushpakumar, general convener of the paddy field revival programme, said that to begin with, 50 acres of the field would be revived.

Agriculture Minister Mullakara Ratnakaran would inaugurate the revival programme on December 8. In order to make the venture profitable, Basmati rice would be cultivated. The decision was taken after carefully studying the texture of the soil, they said.

Mr. Panikkar said the soil was found apt for Basmati cultivation. All natural properties of high quality Basmati, including the aroma, would be there in the rice cultivated at Maranad, he said.

The remaining 50 acres would also be taken over for the same cultivation in the second phase.

They said the aim was to make Basmati rice cultivation a permanent feature there. Seeds for the purpose were being obtained from the Aaralam Seed Farm of the Agriculture Department.

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