Thiruvananthapuram: Decades back, Chittattinkara, near Maruthunkuzhy, here was one of the rice bowls in the district. Old timers still recall the lush paddy fields here. Farming was a means of livelihood for the local people. Over the years, skewed land-use patterns led to the gradual decline of paddy cultivation. While most of the fields were converted into cash crop plantations, the rest were reclaimed for housing projects. But one parcel of land measuring two hectares was retained as paddy field, thanks to the Sree Udiyannoor Devi temple. For the second crop in 2008, the temple trust adopted the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) technique with technical support from the Department of Agriculture. Rooted in Japanese tradition, the SRI technique involves paddy farming in controlled water conditions. It promises better yield in the period between the southwest and northeast monsoons. Mitraniketan, an NGO based at Vellanad, also supported the venture. Agriculture Minister Mullakkara Ratnakaran inaugurated the harvest last week. Farm workers P. Sukumaran, S. Appu and C. Mani were honoured on the occasion. Mitraniketan director K. Viswanathan, Additional Director, Agriculture, K.K. Ramakrishnan; Principal Agricultural Officer A.M. Sunilkumar, Assistant Director Mini K. Rajan and ward councillor M. Premkumar were present on the occasion. Local people turned up in strength to witness the harvest festival.
The Hindu, 9th February, 2009
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