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Cheriyanad Panchayat, Alappuzha |
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If the idea of organic cultivation first germinated in the mind of farmer-turned-Panchayat President Vasudevan, the women of Cheriyanad rose to the occasion by trying their hand in agriculture and Agriculture Officer Mary Joseph stood by the spirit of the resolve. The result: 800 tons of vegetable produced from 100 hectars of paddy fields by 100 women in 2004. This, at a time when Kerala was reeling under severe draught conditions and men in the area had given up cultivation of vegetables as non-remunerative.
To the advantage of the pioneers, they could obtain land for cultivation free of rent for the 3rd crop. Besides, awareness programme on organic farming and training on production of vermin-compost were given to selected teams of women’s agricultural cooperatives in 2001-2002.
Although in the initial year itself they could produce 400 tons of vegetables, inexperience and lack of direct marketing infrastructure resulted in loss to the farmers. But seeing this debacle, the Panchayat pitched in with efforts to avoid middlemen besides providing other benefits like grant of Rs.2.5 lakhs, seeds, sprayers for organic fertilisers, goods autorickshaw and tractor. With these factors, the cooperatives believe that the venture would be a success in terms of marketing this year.
During the summer months the farmers had to work day and night to keep the crops healthy. Often they had to go down the pond to draw water from deep. With work starting at 3 or 4 in the morning, they often had to avoid cooking at home.
Vasudevan has the vision to export vegetables from Cheriyanad. “But for that we have to convert to organic farming full scale,” he cautions. And his vision has a good promotional campaigner in Mary Joseph who shuns red tape and delaying tactics.
Women farmers with the Agriculture Officer
Courtesy: Jiji Elappara, Karshakan, May 2004
Contributed by: Administrator
