FARMER'S NOTE BOOK
Organic rice farming in Kuttanad belt
A progressive farmer assessing the yield of the organic rice. (Inset) A close-up of healthy panicles of the organic rice.
By Our Agriculture Correspondent
KUTTANAD, ONCE hailed as the rice bowl of Kerala, is witnessing a quiet "green revolution."
A committed group of 32 farmers has successfully adopted organic rice cultivation in 32.8 hectares in Ayyanadu Padasekharam.
They were mobilized and fully supported with technical back up of three organizations- Ayyanadu Padasekhara Samiti, Kuttanadu Vikasana Samiti and Poabs Envirotech Private Limited, according to Mr. R. Hali, former Director of Agriculture, Kerala, who was part of the active advisory committee that closely monitored this group farming exercise.
A detailed calendar of operations of the integrated organic farming package was prepared by drawing the best scientific knowledge of scientists and technologists and rich practical experience of seasoned farmers. A proven high yielding variety `Uma', developed by the scientists at the Monkombu Rice Research Station, was raised with all the organic inputs.
Prior to sowing, de-watering and weeding was done in time, and soil and water samples were analysed to determine the right dose of nutrients required to raise a healthy crop.
Organic manure
A basal dose of 875 kg of organic manure, `Green Paddy Special' was applied per hectare, and biofertilizers such as Azospirillum and phosphorus solubilising microbial cultures were added to further enrich the soil. The sowing was over by October 18, 2004.
After the first manual weeding, the luxuriant crop was top-dressed with 375 kg of the organic manure per hectare. Trichogramma predator egg cards were placed to protect the crop against stem borer pest.
Enthusiastic farmers and technologists took up regular pest surveillance sorties, and the expert advisory committee carefully monitored the crop.
Grand success
The programme was a grand success, and it belied the expectations of many rice farmers in the region. The organically grown rice and poison-free straw are sold at premium price. The farmers have already taken up test sowing of a short-duration pulse crop following the harvest of the rice crop.
Soil fertility
One of the key objectives of this programme is to revive and sustain the soil fertility in this rich rice belt, and bring back its clean environment to its original glory. The farmers were assured of all technical support, credit and quality inputs were supplied in time.
The price for the produce was fixed well ahead of sowing, and farmers were assured of a ready market.
There have been continuous consultations with the farmers all through the programme, and full cooperation of the farmers led to its successful implementation.
"The Ayyanadu experiment will be an eye-opener for the entire Kuttanad region, and it should spread like a social movement to regain the status of organic rice belt for Kuttanad region from this International Year of Rice," said Mr. Hali.
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