THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A tiny plot with paddy seedlings has been created on Putharikandam ground, where the Corporation’s farming and industrial expo ‘Vishukkani’ has been set up. If it were not for that, few would believe it was once paddy land. (When agriculture minister V S Sunil Kumar shared its history at the inaugural function, a young woman was heard asking her mother if it was true.) The minister said that there would be at least one such demonstration plot with a minimum area of 2.5 acres in every block panchayat. He said that the government would encourage agriculture wherever possible, even on the terrace. The paddy plot on Putharikandam ground was created by agriculture department’s Karshika Karma Sena with great difficulty.
The soil had to be tilled and its texture had to be made ideal through a method called ‘puddling’. There is a 80-sq-ft modern cattle shed fitted with enough space for two cows and a biogas plant. It demonstrates better use of space. There are also indigenous varieties of animals like the dwarf species - Vechur cow. The species had become endangered and if it were not for the concerted efforts of dairy scientists it would have become extinct. The expo is meant to introduce people in the city to the best practices in agriculture – both old and new. The Ministry too was encouraging agriculture in the cities, according to minister. He said that for this reason, it had instituted an award to encourage residents’ associations.
