Kozhikode: Several acres of paddy field that remained barren for years at Mavet, near Arikkulam in Koyilandy, reveal a different picture now.
The Aambaleri farmers' collective has turned it into a fertile area and reaped a rich harvest from six acres initially. They have now decided to expand the cultivation and thereby protect the environment.
The seeds of vanishing varieties like Mattatriveni, Aishwarya and Kalyanikutti rice were sown which fetched more than 3,000 kg of yield. "This area was lush green paddy field in our childhood days. Gradually, it remained barren for 25 years. Land filling and building construction have added to the woes, including low water level in our wells. So, we decided to do paddy cultivation and save the ecology," said E. Dineshan, secretary of the collective.
The overall expenditure was Rs 82,000 for six acres and the collective members say that the attempt is profitable without considering the subsidy from the agriculture department. Buoyed by the response, they have decided to expand the cultivation to 20 acres next time with Thekkan Chitteni and Orissa paddy seeds.
"It is thrilling to see a barren place now sporting lush green colour. The endeavour of the collective is a model which should be replicated in other parts as well, which is a solution to environmental issues, including drinking water shortage," noted Arikkulam agriculture officer Jyothy C. George.
The collective's president is M. Ramanandan and the members are N. Ribeesh, M. Sankaran, Govindankutty, P.M. Sadanandan, Kuttambath Narayanan, E.T. Rajan, T.M. Sukumaran, P.K. Ansari, C. Raghavan and Jithesh Babu.
