The Hindu Business Line : `Safe rice' from Kuttanad

GOLDEN rice ear heads in the Ayyanadu Padasekharam, Kuttanad, have an inspiring saga to narrate. It is the product of a bold effort to raise `safe rice' in an organic way by keeping soil, crop, environment and ecology unspoiled.

Chemical-free rice culture was the dream of Kuttanad farmers and Ayyanadu Padasekharam has stood the test of time, thanks to the determination of farmers and support from Kuttanad Vikasana Samithi, POABS Green Management and promoters of organic farming.

Uma, a new variety of rice developed by Mankombu Rice Research Institute will bring back the glory of Kuttandan Kuthari once popular in the indigenous market. The Samithi has already started the test sowing of a short duration pulse crop as the next item after the harvest of rice. In Kuttanad, rice is grown in an area of 90,000 acres created by dewatering the Vembanad lake. Efforts to boost rice yields gradually made this tract notorious for excessive use of chemicals killing the fertile earth.

Not only the soil has thus been lost leading to steep fall in the productivity but also created several other hazards in the fisheries, health, cattle rearing and drinking water fronts.

Ultimately it has resulted in the non-lifting of grain and straw unfit for consumption by human beings and cattle.

Kuttanad was thus on the brink of a disaster and both farmers and the community were concerned about the future of this man-made grain paradise.

Farmers' groups from different parts of the State have started reaching Ayyanad to discuss the details of organic farming of rice. It has kindled hopes in the minds of visiting peasant leaders and technologists.

The rice crop situation is not bright in Kuttanad due to the after effects of tsunami disaster and as harvest commences it may bring more sorrow to the farming community and labour forces. Ayyanad saga has special significance in this context. While the organic practices were introduced there was fear that it might reduce the yield. Farmers are now happy that the performance so far is promising.

The most significant message of Ayyanad is that Kuttanad could be converted into a great organic rice bowl of India from the existing status of a `chemically poisoned pool.' Ayyanad model of safe food rice production in the organic way will continue for years as a sustainable role model for the benefit of farmers and rice lovers. Ayyanad's success has become a topic for discussion in all rice growing tracts of the State.

Ayyanadu Padasekhara Samithi, Kuttanadu Vikasana Samithi and POABS with the help of eminent technical and social scientists prepared an action plan for raising `safe rice' in the organic way, pooling scientific methods and the experience of farmers. The objectives include introduction of radical changes in the key cultivation practices by preserving the environment and climate structure of the tract.

The ultimate objective is to revive `life' in Kuttanad soils by adopting organic manuring and plant protection measures, Mr R.Hali , Former Director of Agriculture and a member of the advisory board of Ayyanad Padasekaharam told Business Line.

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