A wind of change is blowing across Kerala now. New entrepreneurs — from educated youngsters to technocrats — are now entering the farm sector. And, modern methods of cultivation and non–traditional varieties are the new trend. Organic (pesticide-free) food products such as vegetables and fruits are the new mantra. Indeed, these are praiseworthy changes, deserving social support. Yet, in the rush of the revolutionary zeal for ‘green farming’, the State, as perhaps in other parts of the country, has come to neglect the basics of green revolution: to provide healthy staple food to the masses at affordable price, which alone is ethically progressive farming. The focus must shift to the cultivation of paddy, more extensively and intensively.
A small group of farmers in Wayanad, Kerala, has set a model in this direction. The Wayanad Agriculture and Spices Company (WASP) has been formed with the support of NABARD to achieve this aim. It intends to produce and market pesticide-free rice. At the same time, it is keen to ensure better income to farmers and healthy food to consumers at an affordable price. Formed in 2013 with 10 farmers, it is planning to attract more farmer-members in the venture.
The group started paddy cultivation in 2013, taking on lease 20 acres of land, which had been kept fallow for more than seven years in Punchavayal, Panamaram grama panchayat. The expense involved was Rs.25,000 an acre as production cost, which also included the lease amount. They cultivated the ethnic rice varieties such as Gandhakasala, Kaima, Adukkan, Marathondy and Chomala, as well as Uma, a popular high-breed variety. They got a yield of 20 tonnes of rice. They also procured 11 tonnes of paddy from other farmers, produced pesticide-free under instructions of WASP. The company uses modern technology for planting as well as harvesting, apart from utilising the services of tribal workers, especially in the cultivation of traditional rice varieties. To ensure their credibility, the company had sent rice samples to the pesticide residue-testing laboratory of Kerala Agricultural University, Vellayanai and had obtained their certification. After three years of success, WASP is now at the threshold of expansion. It has tied up with 14 farm collectives (Padasekhara samiti) in Thirunelly and Noolpuzha grama panchayats to cultivate pesticide-free rice on 300 acres (120 hectares approximately) this season. The procurement of rice from farmers will be at a premium price, and the product will be marketed under company’s brand name Kabani, says, K. Narayanan, Managing Director of WASP.
WASP has tied up with many supermarkets in the State to sell the Kabani rice, as the pesticide-free rice has a good demand among consumers.
WASP now has 82 members, and its target for the season is to procure 300 tonnes of pesticide-free paddy against 150 tonnes last year. Inspired by the success of WASP, four more farmer groups have already been set up in the district to achieve the similar aims in coffee, tea, vegetable and dairy product sectors, says N.S. Sajikumar, District Development Manager, NABARD.
wymnj@thehindu.co.in
