The State policy on agricultural development approved by the government calls for stern action to prevent the conversion of paddy fields.
The policy, approved through a government order issued on March 28, includes steps to enhance acreage and improve productivity of paddy.
It underlines the need for strict enforcement of the Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act, 2008 to check the reclamation of paddy fields.
Kerala cannot afford to bear the environmental and economic consequences of paddy field reclamation any more, says the policy document.
Briefing the media about the highlights of the policy here on Tuesday, Agriculture Minister K.P. Mohanan said the drafting committee headed by K. Krishnankutty, former MLA, had come up with recommendations to ensure remunerative price for farm produce and attract more people to agriculture.
Enhancing acreage
The policy document moots steps to enhance the acreage from 2,18,000 hectares to 3,00,000 hectares and improve the productivity of paddy from 2.3 tonnes per hectare to four tonnes per hectare over the next five years.
It also proposes that the paddy land ownership limit eligible for various government benefits be enhanced from two to five hectares. The policy stresses the need to adopt water budgeting on a watershed basis, protect farm ponds and popularise micro-irrigation technology, rainwater harvesting and aquifer recharge methods. It seeks to enhance the production of bio-manure and develop regional soil nutrient plans to improve crop production potential.
The policy proposes agricultural labour banks in all panchayats and a production incentive for farm labourers who have worked for a minimum of 100 days.
It recommends Amul model outlets and agricultural retail markets for procurement and distribution of farm produce.
