Thrissur: Paddy production in Kerala can be increased threefold in the area currently available with the involvement of people and scientific farming practices, Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) vice-chancellor Dr P. Rajendran has said. He said determination was the most important ingredient in farming after inaugurating a training workshop on upland farming at the Directorate of Extension on Thursday here at Mannuthy.
“If there is a will there is a way in paddy production too. We can resume farming in unused paddy fields and barren uplands. Besides that, we can introduce second and third crops where only one crop is raised, and we can use more productive varieties and productivity enhancement techniques. All these steps together will trigger a tri-fold increase in production, which is so significant in the present scenario. However, the basic ingredient is the will to do it. Fortunately, the state government is showing special attention and offering support and we, agricultural professionals and farming community, should strive to make it a success,” he said.
According to official figures, paddy farming has come down from 13 lakh metric tonnes in 1987 to six metric tonnes an year. Whereas, the state is in need of 45 lakh metric tonnes of paddy. KAU director of extension Dr S. Estelita in her presidential address highlighted that current paddy production in Kerala only meets the requirement of two months and rice for 10 months is imported from other states.
“The necessity to enhance production and productivity is obvious. Upland farming will help us realise the importance and relevance of paddy cultivation and enthuse the younger generation. The encouraging response to this training programme is a positive sign,” she said. Principal agricultural officer A.A. Prasad said that the department of agriculture has initiated steps to spread upland farming in 500 hectares in Thrissur district and the KAU training programme has come in as a shot in the arm for the initiative.
