Pesticide-free vegetable farming has long been a social and political hot topic in the district. Many panchayats have started growing organic veggies on a huge scale in collaboration with agricultural and horticulture departments, particularly in the run-up to the festival season.
For many years, the Kanjikuzhi panchayat has served as an example for organic vegetable agriculture. This year, its farmers have also produced a big amount of bio-vegetables during the Vishu season. Over 100 acres of farmland, farmed by 50 farmers, are ready for harvest. Many farmers have already begun harvesting, and their products have begun to reach markets.
Every day during the festival season, an average of 6,000kg of veggies arrive at the market. Farmers here only use bio-farming practices. According to officials, the sandy character of the soil promises a good output. More than 100 acres are ready for harvest this week, according to panchayat vice-president M Santhosh Kumar. Here are grown kani vellari (yellow cucumber), kani mathan (yellow pumpkin), snake gourd, bitter gourd, ridge gourd, okra, and snake bean. He estimates that the current season will generate roughly Rs 50 lakh in revenue.
Farmers' groups and the agricultural department have set up shop along the national highway near SN College Cherthala, Kanichukulangara, and Thiruvizha to sell bio-vegetables. The majority of farmers sell their produce directly to wholesalers on the farm.
Subhakesan, a full-time farmer since 2007, began using organic farming more than 18 years ago. Every month, a one-acre farm may produce vegetables worth Rs 45,000 on average. Farmers can sell their produce through the Panchayat Development Society's stores. He noted that the group gathers veggies straight from fields, sparing farmers the trouble of finding acceptable outlets.
K K Kumaran Palliative Care Society, a non-profit organization, began farming on approximately one acre of land owned by the state-owned SILK in Kanjikuzhi. Subhakesan directs the activities in this area, which primarily grows kani vellari and kani mathan. Manure is made from cow dung, ash, neem waste, and fish oil. Pests are killed with bio-pesticides such as tobacco solution and traps. According to Subhakesan, there are no restrictions on farming utilizing bio-methods.
According to Santhosh, the panchayat provides every possible assistance to farmers. "The overuse of chemical pesticides has caused numerous health and environmental issues. As a result, we chose to embrace bio-farming. The panchayat has established sales outlets in several locations, and many traders purchase consignment straight from these stores. Our products are slightly more expensive in terms of pricing, but this is not an issue for those who place a higher value on quality," he explained.
