THIRUMARADI: At a time when green paddy fields are vanishing from the state due to uncertain weather conditions and scarcity of skilled farmers, Thirumaradi panchayat is planning to start a green revolution.Paddy fields in the panchayat once used to yield enough to feed the entire district. However, this land has now been rendered barren due to lack of skilled labour. The land in Mannathur and Oliappuram will soon be turned into fertile farmlands. The Kerala Farm Development Corporation has allotted Rs 93.97 lakh under the Agricultural Department for this revolution. The entire project has been included in the Rashtriya Kisan Vikas Yojana for the 2011-12 fiscal.The government has decided to spend Rs 41.89 lakh for Oliapuram fields and Rs 57.08 lakh for Mannathur paddy fields.This decision to bring back prosperous days of paddy cultivation in the district was taken by former Agricultural Minister Mullakkara Ratnakaran following a written request by Kakoor Co-operative Bank Director M M George in 2010. The engineering wing of the Karala Land Development Corporation visited Thirumaradi and submitted a detailed project report.After analysing this detailed report, an SLSC meeting held on March 18, 2011, approved the project. The Rashtriya Kisan Vikas Yojana, too, gave official nod for the project later.Two traditional farming practices - virippu from June to August, and mundakan from September to November -- have been proposed. Order has already been placed for the designing of a 800m-long channel leading to the fields and a footpath along the Oliapuram paddy fields.The canal flowing along the side of the Oliapuram paddy fields will be deepened by 1,160 m. A 350m-long leading channel and 350m-long sidewalls has also been planned. A 300m-long bund will be constructed to make the system foolproof.Around 60 hectares in Oliapuram and 45 hectares in Mannathur will be redesigned. “The request to include Thirumaradi and Kakkoor paddy fields in the project has already been submitted,” George said.
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