BASMATI RICE CULTIVATION OF PALAMEL PANCHAYAT
|
| farmers of Muthukattukara-Kothakulam, Palamel Panchayat, Alappuzha |
|
|
|
Download Database of featured talents. (Excel file) |
The king among various types of rice, Basmati, is usally grown in the cold regions of Haryana, Punjab and UP. But the farmers of Muthukattukara-Kothakulam area of Palamel Panchayat of Alappuzha district have recently grown Basmati, which has a good demand inside and outside India, in a 12-acre field.
The experiment has been a success with bumper yield. Though the period of cultivation is usually 140 to 152 days, here the yield was obtained in 115 days. The difference has been attributed to the change in soil and climate.
While Padasekharam secretary Sajeevan, Narayana Kurup and Karthikeyan took the initiative for the experiment, State-run Farming Corporation supplied them with seeds.
Seeds were sown at the rate of 8 kg per acre. Since pest were few and far between, chemical pesticide wasn’t used. 2½ tons of grain and 3½ tons of hay per hectare was the yield they got.
The farmers are planning to expand the cultivation from 12 acres. At a time when farmers bemoan the profitlessness of rice cultivation, the experiment at Palamel shows signs of hope.
Courtesy: Jyoti Kumar, Karshakashree, December 1999
Contributed by: Administrator
