| Varghese T.George, Karikkod, Mulamthuruthy, Ernakulam |
At a time when bombshells like compulsory retirement and the ailment of the heart valve rained on him simultaneously, Varghese T.George of Karikkod, Mulamthuruthy, Ernakulam learned through a group prayer to stick to farming. That the decision was right was proved by the national prize for the best coconut farmer won by him this year.
When Varghese started farming in the 5-acre maternal land in 1972, he had to begin by clearing bush and blasting rocks. Together with labourers he too toiled in these activities too. Once alluvial soil was brought to the farm, the complexion of the farm changed, recalls the veteran farmer. He began by planting coconuts.
However, like many others, Varghese too understood that success in farming in Kerala was dependant on variety of produce and year-round produce. Thus he has slowly added other crops like banana, vanilla, arecanut, ‘jaathi’, pepper, chilly etc to the core of his coconut farm.
Though an ex-employee of fertilizer-giant FACT, Varghese prefers organic fertilizers for his farm. He maintains a vermi-compost unit and 3 cows for the purpose.
“Farmers are not shown due consideration,” feels this former officer. “Awards like Padmashree aren’t given to farmers, while they are given to those from many other fields,” he says. However, he isn’t perturbed by such thoughts. “My effort is meant for the next generation also. ‘Jaathi’ will last for 200 years,” says the 60-year-old farmer.
Courtesy:
K.V.Leela, Karshakan, November, 2006
Contributed by: Administrator
