The National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers of the Sree Chitra Thirunal College of Engineering succeeded in what they set out do. Their ‘Kathir’ paddy cultivation project was not purely an exercise to involve students in more gruelling physical activity and educate them on farming practices. It was to help the farmers at Koliyakode, near Pappanamcode, here reclaim land that had turned barren. It was to ‘kick-start’ cultivation and protect seven hectares of land in the city from being encroached upon. The cultivation is being taken up on a 30-cent plot, part of the 7.5-hectare field.
On May 10, a meeting was called by V. Sivankutty, MLA. He formed three committees with Nemom and Estate Corporation ward councillors as the convenors — a technical committee, a field committee, and one ‘sahaya’ or support committee. These three units would coordinate the future activities here and it involves the farmers concerned, and representatives of different political parties.
The land is being prepared and sowing has been scheduled for May 25, a press release issued by the college says.
The meeting was attended by engineers of the Irrigation Department who promised to clear the canals bringing water to the fields. These were blocked by garbage that got accumulated over the past two to three years and was the prime reason for the cultivation to be stalled. The Corporation officials said they would provide earthmovers to carry out the cleaning work in the smaller canals around this region. The Nemom Krishi Bhavan is providing seeds and technical support.
