Kozhikode: The 1,500-acre Avala Pandi, known as the rice-bowl of Kozhikode, is set to regain its old agrarian spirit when Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will launch the planting of paddy saplings there on December 3.
In the first phase, 300 acres of paddy fields are ready with stagnant water drained out and all the weeds removed through the collective effort of locals.
"We have prepared the fields in 300 acres. In the next phase, 400 acres would be cleared. Slowly we are reviving the Avala Pandi along with its rich agrarian tradition," said Cheruvannur grama panchayat president K.P. Biju. The revival dream was triggered by the success of 'Ellarum Padethek,' the one-day programme of the CPM Cheruvannur local committee on September 25.
Around 5,000 volunteers cleared the weed-filled Avala Pandi. Kerala Agriculture University provided the technical support, including the machine which drains out water through rivulets. Dr. U. Jayakumaran of Agriculture University is the project coordinator.
Labour Minister T.P. Ramakrishnan is keen to revive the Avala Pandi in his constituency. "The state government has a project to allot Rs 30,000 per 2.5 acres of barren land for converting it to fertile. That fund will be made available," Mr Ramakrishnan said. Besides, Rs 15 lakh has been set aside by the grama panchayat. In the revival process, hundred per cent organic farming is planned.
