Farming goes hi-tech in Kerala

Assistance t be provided to selected villages to set up rooftop solar panels, rainwater harvesting structures and waste management units

KARBI ANGLONG—16-08-2009 Water being provided in terrace fields by using indegenous method after planting paddy seedlings in the hills of Langardang village in Karbi Anglong district of Assam on Sunday, August 16, 2009.Villagers taking extra care to raise their paddy seedlings as the drought like situation has severely affected majority of the crops in Assam state. There has been a deficit of nearly 30 percent rainfall from the beginning of June to July end in Assam and the 14 districts received only 414.8 mm of rain in the period compared to an average rainfall of 588.8 mm. Assam is primarily an agricultural state where more than 80percent people are dependent on agriculture. PHOTO: RITU_RAJ_KONWAR KARBI ANGLONG—16-08-2009 Water being provided in terrace fields by using indegenous method after planting paddy seedlings in the hills of Langardang village in Karbi Anglong district of Assam on Sunday, August 16, 2009.Villagers taking extra care to raise their paddy seedlings as the drought like situation has severely affected majority of the crops in Assam state. There has been a deficit of nearly 30 percent rainfall from the beginning of June to July end in Assam and the 14 districts received only 414.8 mm of rain in the period compared to an average rainfall of 588.8 mm. Assam is primarily an agricultural state where more than 80percent people are dependent on agriculture. PHOTO: RITU_RAJ_KONWAR - caption

Farmers in 14 villages across the State will soon be equipped with hi- tech and precision farming methods to boost the production of banana and vegetables.

The government has accorded administrative sanction for a flagship project mooted by the Agriculture department to establish poly houses and popularise precision farming techniques.

The model Hi-tech Green Village project will also promote renewable energy and eco-friendly options for environment conservation. All the households in the selected villages will be provided with assistance to set up rooftop solar panels, rainwater harvesting structures and waste management units.

Apart from the Departments of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries, Dairy Development and Soil Conservation and Soil Survey, the Rs.42 crore project also involves the Kerala Agricultural University, Vegetable and Fruit Promotion Council Keralam, Horticorp, Agency for Non conventional Energy and Rural Technology (ANERT), Suchitwa Mission, Jalanidhi and local bodies.

Director of Agriculture R. Ajithkumar told The Hindu that the project was aimed at popularising hi- tech methods of farming while ensuring the integrated development of villages.

“It is the largest multi-institutional project taken up by the department. Each of the participating agencies has been chosen to implement a component in its area of specialisation”. He said the project would be extended to more villages in due course.