‘Krishigramam’ to re-claim paddy farming

Thiruvananthapuram: Anacode village of Poovachal gramapanchayath is getting ready to revive its proud agricultural heritage by re-launching paddy farming in 50 cents of land. The village once contributed about 40% of the total paddy cultivated in Trivandrum was once known as the ‘Krishigramam of Poovachal panchayath’. People from different places used to come to the village to buy crops.Over the years paddy gave way to bananas and other vegetables.
Now, an organisation called Nanma (nature affectionate noblest movement and association) is at the helm of reviving paddy cultivation in the village. Pradeep, a member of Nanma, along with six other farmers have started paddy cultivation in the village, and are planning to cultivate traditional Kerala paddy ‘chennellu’. Earlier, the land for paddy farming was used to cultivate vegetables and banana plants.
Marking the beginning of the revival the field was ploughed on September 6 to turn it into land suitable for paddy cultivation. Biju Kumar Pottayil, the landowner where now the paddy is being cultivated, has promised that he will continue to give the land for paddy cultivation only. “There are many paddy fields in Kerala, but no one is farming the traditional varieties. I am trying to reclaim our legacy. We hope that paddy farming will be spread to all parts of Kerala. Let the coming generations witness our rich heritage,'' said Pradeep.