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Mankulam to become first organic panchayat in the State

IDUKKI: Mankulam, a little-known panchayat in Idukki district, is all set to become the first organic panchayat in the State.

The project, to be completed in three years, will convert the panchayat into a chemical and pesticide free region.

The project, implemented by Kerala Agricultural Development Society (KADS) in association with Spices Board of India, Mankulam grama panchayat, Krishi Bhavan and Kudumbasree units, proposes to include 3,448 agricultural families in three years.

Under the project, farmers in the panchayat will be given certificates after the KADS conducts various tests that include soil testing and inspection by officials.

“It takes three years for a land to transform into the organic mode. A farmer is certified for organic cultivation only after getting C1, C2 and C3 certificates,” said project director P.J. Sebastian.

So far, 1,076 farmers have passed the C1 level. Spice Board and the grama panchayat will bear the cost of getting the organic certification to the farmers.

KADS has already selected 40 cocoa farmers in the panchayat, and have started procuring the organic product produced by them at a high price. When the panchayat turns fully organic in cultivation practices, the farmers are expected to get a 30 per cent in the cost of their produce. The major crops that are cultivated in the panchayat are pepper, coffee, cocoa, cardamom.

Mr.Sebastian said the panchayat was selected on the basis of its geographical advantage. The region is surrounded by forest on all sides, and cultivation is done without using pesticides or fertilizers as the soil is fertile. He said that a Kochi-based agency that provides organic certification will be approached to ascertain the chance of exporting these products.

KADS has selected Mankulam panchayat under the Idukki Organic Project and more areas will be brought under vegetable cultivation.

Dairy farmers demand increase in the price of milk

IDUKKI: The Kattappana block committee of Kerala State Milk Societies’ Association, on Thursday, said that the government should increase the price of milk.

According to the association, dairy farmers were in severe crisis due to an increase in the price of fodder and the low price of milk.

This has led to a 30 per cent decline in the number of farmers involved in dairy farming in Idukki district this year. Idukki district is the biggest contributor of milk in the State.

Association block president Jose Muthanattu said the price of milk should be increased to Rs.20, and farmers be given 50 per cent subsidy on cattle fodder.
‘Inadequate’

He said currently farmers are getting only Rs.12.50-Rs.14.50 for a litre of milk. “The price is inadequate when compared with the amount of labour involved. If the government fails to take immediate step, more farmers in the district will abandon dairy farming,” he said.

The price of 50kg of fodder has risen to Rs.500-Rs.600 from Rs.70 in 1984-85. “Though the government had promised a 50 per cent subsidy on fodder, it has not been implemented,” he said.
Shortage

According to Mr. Muthanattu there is a shortage of veterinary doctors and facilities for treating sick cattle.

The move to impose fees on veterinary services will affect the dairy farmers who have a low income, and a three time increase in the expense involved in rearing cattle.

“A concerted effort should be taken by the government to supply hybrid cattle to farmers so that the quantity of milk produced will increase. The interest rate on loans taken from banks to buy cattle should also be reduced,” he said.
‘No measures’

The association block secretary Sunny P.A said that the government is not taking measures to protect the dairy farmers even when it aims to achieve self-sufficiency in milk production.