AGRICULTURE OFFICERS WHO WORKED IN TANDEM WITH FARMERS
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| Leelamma Oommen, Krishi Bhavan, Payipra, |
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Government
officials – be they the lowly peons or the highly paid bureaucrats –
aren’t known for their helpful nature or interaction with people.
Agriculture Officer Leelamma Oommen and Assistants
Saraswathy Amma, K.P.Sulekha and Aryakumari are a pleasant exception.
These
officials from the Krishi Bhavan, Payipra, by their
shoulder-to-shoulder effort with the farmers of the Panchayat, were
instrumental in securing the best panchayat award in commercial vegetable
cultivation for Payipra.
The
Krishi Bhavan was sanctioned Rs.1 lakhs to cultivate 10 hectares.
But with this amount they were able to produce vegetable from 16
hectares.
Although
it was not part of their official agenda, they made it a point to visit
Haritha Samithis twice a week.
The Krishi Bhavan doesn’t have an official vehicle.
But they used autorikshaw for conveyance.
One could get auto for the journey from town to the farms, but not
while returning.
Often they had to walk all the way back to the town.
Although
they were able to obtain record harvest, the excess produce led to
diminishing price in the market.
Besides, middlemen pocketed the lion’s share of profits.
They have now decided to entrust future marketing to Kerala
Horticultural Development Programme’s marketing network.
“After
visiting farms and completing the job at office, I wouldn’t be able to
leave the office before 6 pm”, says Leelamma Oommen.
And as recognition for their sincerity and hardwork, their Krishi
Bhavan has been entrusted the job of coordinating farming in 200 hectares.
Courtesy: P.M., Vanitha, July 15-31, 1998
Contributed by: Administrator
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