KOLLAM: With the state ready to launch ‘Haritha Keralam’ project, a small village, Punnakkulam in Kulasekharapuram panchayat, will become the first model of the project. The villagers will cultivate gingelly in 4 acres of land. The association of women agriculturists ‘Gramajyothi jaiva karshaka sanghom’ under the leadership of Jumailath, the grama panchayat member of Punnakkulam, is behind the achievement. Fisheries minister J. Mercykkutty Amma will inaugurate the Haritha Keralam mission’s district level inauguration at Punnakkulam.
The sanghom has received several facilities including tractor provided by the agriculture department for the promotion of agriculture in the village. Onattukara development agency will provide sufficient seedlings for the promotion of gingelly cultivation in the area. MNREGA workers have been employed to equip the land area for cultivation of gingelly. A total of 14 acres of land has been earmarked for cultivating the land.
“The group has 30 women. They also cultivate vegetables in 10 acres of land, both in traditional and precision farming. The prepared land has been given by MNREGA. The seedlings have been provided by Oachira farmers association. The effort is a convergence as several departments including agriculture, MNREGA, farmer’s organisation, and women’s groups have joined together to achieve the goal. We expect 5 tonnes of vegetables in 90 days and the harvesting will start from the 60th day. The gingelly procured will be marketed through Oachira farmers extension organisation. The product name is ‘octtak’ and will be brought to the market as Onattukara gingelly oil,” said V.R. Binesh, agriculture officer, Kulasekharapuram.
The gramajyothi workers anticipate an average of 600-800 kilograms of gingelly from an acre of land cultivated. The seedlings provided by Kayamkulam paddy research centre, Kayamkulam -1 will be used for the cultivation. Ten kilograms of gingelly will give 4.5 kilograms of gingelly oil, when the specific variety is used. The farmers will get Rs 140 for a kilogram of gingelly, while a kilogram of oil will yield them Rs 300 per kilogram.
