Veteran paddy farmers of Kuttanad are most in demand these days. With several panchayats in the state taking steps to convert barren lands into paddy fields, experienced farmers from Kuttanad are brought in to guide the local people in paddy cultivation.
The latest is Nedumbassery gram panchayat in Ernakulam which has started paddy cultivation in over 1000 acres of land in four wards of the panchayat that has been lying unused for several years. The panchayat is following the Kuttanadan method of farming and has brought experienced farmers from Kuttanad in Alappuzha to help them accomplish the task. “The panchayat aims to make rice cultivation profitable by imparting scientific farming with the help of these experienced farmers,” said the panchayat officials.
Five traditional farmers of Kuttanad and skilled workers in paddy cultivation have been brought to the panchayat for taking up paddy cultivation. The panchayat, farmers and land owners have also formed a committee and made an agreement on sharing profit, expenses and other benefits.
As per the details, the lands have been released for cultivation for five years. In the first year, the government will give Rs 2000 per acre to the land owners for preparing the unused land into cultivable land. Financial assistance will also be provided from village and block panchayats. It is agreed to pay Rs 3000 per acre in the second year and Rs 4000, Rs 5000 and Rs 6000 per acre in subsequent years. The water required for cultivation will be pumped in from Angamali-Manjali stream and the panchayat will take steps to provide the required electricity.
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