The Hindu Business Line : Experimental organic paddy harvested at Vadakkencherry

Kochi, Feb. 12 The first experimental organic paddy crop in Vadakkencherry panchayat in Palakkad district was harvested on Tuesday with the inauguration of the 50-acre demonstration plot by the District Panchayat President, Ms Subaida Isahaq.

The yield from the maiden crop was fairly good and estimated at 4 tones per hectare, appreciably higher than the average yield of 3.5 tonnes under conventional paddy crop. The better yield is expected to encourage more farmers to come forward to convert to organic paddy cultivation in the panchayat.

The demonstration plot was the single largest attempt in the district, joined by over 20 farmers belonging to the Vadakkencherry Padasekhara Samithi by switching over to organic paddy cultivation.

The POABS Group, which owns multi-crop organic plantation at Nelliyampathy, had come forward to procure the whole organic crop, to meet its growing export needs, offering a premium price of 25 per cent over the prevailing market price for paddy.

Aid to farmers

It had also extended technical advice to the farmers, besides providing organic bio-manure, bio-fertilisers and bio-control agents for the crop. A favourable climate also contributed to better yield in its maiden attempt, giving greater expectation among the farmers.

POABS Group Director, Mr Thomas Jacob, who received the harvested paddy at the site, said organic farming was introduced by POABS initially at Thuthampara in Palakkad district and it was a matter of great satisfaction that it was able to spread the message of organic cultivation to the society at large in this part of the state as part of its social responsibility.

By popularising organic farming, the company is only trying to liberate the society from the evil effects caused by the continued application of chemical fertilizers and pesticides and that the task was being carried out without any profit motive, he said.

POABS had identified several farms particularly in Palakkad and Alappuzha districts for conversion into organic paddy cultivation and it was receiving encouraging response from farmers in all these areas, he said.

Organic paddy, once attained international certification, normally achieved in three years time, would fetch up to 50 per cent premium price in the international market, he said, adding that global demand for organic products was also growing steadily.

More Stories on : Cultivation | Rice | Kerala

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