Kozhikode: Students under the National Service Scheme (NSS) unit of Government Higher Secondary School Valayam are on a mission to convert an acre of barren land into a paddy field. They had sown seeds in the ploughed field on Friday at Poovvamvayal in a festive ambience with the entire village witnessing. The field was ploughed using a pair of ox under the guidance of Velam grama panchayat vice-president and former farmer N.P Kannan.
“We sowed seeds of the Vayanokki variety which are commonly used by tribals. It should be harvested within three months,” says NSS coordinator and teacher, Shabitha N.R. The weed encroached and uninhabited land was cleared as part of preparing the ground. Students thoroughly enjoyed the ploughing, and a few of them even tried to guide the ox.
“It was a refreshing experience. We were overjoyed by the reception given by the villagers as the land was kept barren for many years,” said Anjali Christy, a student. Several elder farmers, who were full-time peasants in their youth days, shared their experiences and the umpteen manual techniques they resorted. “Agriculture on the field is entirely different from what we read or watch,” beams Shindo Gireesh, another student. Panchayat president M. Sumathi inaugurated the sowing programme by throwing the first seed. Principal P.K. Chandran, PTA president M. Divakaran, P. Ranjith Kumar, ward member A.K. Raveendran and others spoke.
