Kollam: As Kulasekharapuram panchayat in Kollam bags the award for 'best organic panchayat in the State' for the third time in a row, the efforts and determination of an agricultural officer has to be praised.
V.R. Binesh, who has been serving the panchayat for nine years in three terms, is behind the diverse methods taken up to spread the idea of organic farming through people's participation. Each household under the panchayat has taken their share by cultivating organic vegetables.
Mr. Binesh also has several recognitions to his credit. In 2010, he was honoured with 'Karshakamitra' award instituted by the Kerala State Government, 'Best Extension Professional Award' by the Coconut Development Board under Government of India in 2012, and 'Best Extension Professional Award' by Extension Education Institute in Hyderabad.
His efforts as an agricultural officer has also helped Kulasekharapuram panchayat bag best panchayat in Kollam district of 2014-15, national award for best panchayat in the country in 2015-16, and also state award in 206. The panchayat also enjoys the honour of having the largest upland paddy cultivation in the State.
It was the perseverance by the panchayat adhering to the motto 'Food safety, safe food production and sustainable development' that made it achieve the recognitions under Mr. Binesh.
The organic farming was initiated in 2014 with all the 23 wards and 13,500 households taking up vegetable cultivation. Three seedlings of five varieties of tomato, brinjal, chili, cowpea and ladies finger were supplied to beneficiaries at their door step along with 1.5 kg of organic manure.
Task force and farmer extension organisation were constituted to monitor the cultivation. The organic cultivation is now on a regular basis and has astonishing results.
Mr. Binesh graduated from Agriculture Maharashtra Agricultural University in 1992. He later completed post-graduate diploma in agriculture extension management from 'Manage' institute in Hyderabad.
He started his career by working as a technical assistant with Kerala horticulture development programme during 1992-1998 after which he joined the service as an agricultural officer in 1998 at Mannarkkad in Palakkad.
The officer hails from 'Punnootharayil Vijaya Bhavan' in Karunagappally.
