The Pokkali Samrakshana Samithi, a combine of people engaged in conserving and increasing the utilisation of pokkali paddy fields in the State, has slammed the district administration for only paying lip service to the cause of pokkali paddy cultivation, which has received geographical indication registration for its unique qualities.
A statement from the Samithi said here that the former district collector M.G. Rajamanickam had declared that 500 acres of pokkali fields would be brought under cultivation this season in Chellanam panchayat. However, nothing had been done to implement the declaration.
The Samithi described as a “farce” a notice issued to a group of pokkali land owners by the Fort Kochi Revenue Divisional Office (RDO). The Samithi alleged that the official machinery was not implementing the regulations in existence to protect pokkali farming.
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The statement also said shrimp farming in pokkali fields should end by April 15 every year and salt water should be pumped and fields allowed to dry. The sowing operations begin in June. The pokkali variety does not require any artificial fertiliser and can resist salt content in the waters and are ready for harvest between 90 and 110 days. These qualities have earned the rice variety a place in the GI registry.
Into the hands of the lobby
However, pokkali fields have fallen into the hands of the shrimp farming lobby, which seeks to maximize profit by not allowing pokkali cultivation so that there is shrimp farming throughout the year, the Samithi has alleged.
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