Vayalilpaadam now a farmland

Students, local people revive farming in fallow land

August 20, 2017 10:33 pm | Updated 10:33 pm IST - Kochi

Local people and students sowing paddy seeds at Vayalilpaadam at Chottanikkara which had been lying fallow for the past 20 years.  Special Arrangement

Local people and students sowing paddy seeds at Vayalilpaadam at Chottanikkara which had been lying fallow for the past 20 years. Special Arrangement

Children and adults joined hands in turning Vayalilpaadam, lying fallow for the past 20 years at Chottanikkara, into an agriculture land as they sowed paddy in seven acres of the land.

With the support of the Chottanikkara grama panchayat, a Joint Liability Group (JLG) was registered under the Chottanikkara block panchayat comprising five friends who wanted to take up farming in the fallow land.

Children from the Government High School in Thiruvankulam took the lead role in sowing paddy seeds as they inaugurated the event on Saturday.

Led by their teachers, former students of the school, and local people joined the drive to sow about 180 kg (23 paras) of paddy grains.

Students from Cochin Refinery School also joined the drive. The enthusiasm of the students knew no bounds when the local people and farmers started singing folk songs.

Old farming tools had also been displayed at the site.

Agriculture officer Bijumon Zakaria provided the technical support for the project. Omana Sasi, panchayat president; Ramani Janakan, chairperson, standing committee for development; and other members were present.

The land had became a waste dumping ground. It was cleared and tilled for sowing by the JLG comprising Shiji Chandanathil, Mani M.G., Joshi Nedumparambil, Suresh V.G., and Elias E.V. The Kanayannoor Service Cooperative Bank also provided support by giving an interest-free loan.

“Efforts will be made to bring all fallow land in the panchayat under cultivation,” said Johnson Thomas, a ward member.

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