MALAPPURAM: The students of KHM High School at Valakkulam near Kottakkal have launched their own ‘Kathirmani’ branded rice which was cultivated through Sunday farming beating this year’s severe drought. The student members of the National Green Corps (NGC), who led the seasonal Mundakan cultivation in three acres of paddyfields, together produced 900 kg of organic rice which will hit the market soon. District collector Amit Meena inaugurated the sale of rice on Friday.
“Several nearby paddyfields were badly hit by the drought. We were concerned about the output due to the lack of rain. However, the students could produce 900 kg of rice and 150 kg of avil this time,” said K.P. Shaniyas, the coordinator of the NGC at the school. This was the second season of cultivation for the students. Last year they had produced 600 kg of Kathirmani rice which was sold out before hitting the market.
The students have used Uma variety of paddy seeds for the farming, which was provided by the agricultural department. From sowing the seeds to packaging the final product, everything was done by 160 student volunteers of NGC. The rice will be put on sale on Thursday at a special event at the school. The students had first ventured into Sunday farming in 2015 to learn farming lessons.
