THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Karshika Karma Sena started in 2008 at Kudappanakunnu Krishi Bhavan here has since been replicated in 201 panchayats across the state. There are 14 - 19 KKSs in each district, but they are not very active in Kollam, Kannur and Kasaragod. Introduced by the agriculture department, it began at Kudappanakunnu with just eight farm technicians including women. It has now grown into 135, under an agriculture officer, coordinator, assistant agriculture officer, assistant manager and three supervisors.
The team has been relentlessly converting barren lands into organic farms in schools, government institutions and courtyards of farming enthusiasts. “This year’s budget proposes to spread it into more panchayats. But it would have been good if concentrated o Kollam, Kannur and Kasaragod districts,” said a KKS official. However, a farmer’s welfare department official said they were semi-urban places where there is a scarcity of labour.
“Except Kasaragod, the other two are facing difficulty in getting regular workforce. There would be dropouts after training, and the Krishi Bhavan bears the brunt,” said an official. Former Chathannoor legislator N. Anirudhan stopped an interview for aspirants of supervisor and technicians in Kollam on Thursday as his CPI’s local leadership was not informed, though some 100 aspirants turned up. The CPI is now allegedly recruiting to Lead Farmer Centered Extension Advisory & Delivery Services (LEADS), Vegetable Development Programme (VDP) and Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA) directly ignoring officials.
