{"id":879,"date":"2022-04-21T06:03:55","date_gmt":"2022-04-21T06:03:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tafe.com\/blog\/?p=879"},"modified":"2022-04-21T06:03:55","modified_gmt":"2022-04-21T06:03:55","slug":"reclaiming-the-rice-bowl-of-kerala-kuttanad-project-by-tafe-jfarm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tafe.com\/blog\/reclaiming-the-rice-bowl-of-kerala-kuttanad-project-by-tafe-jfarm\/","title":{"rendered":"Reclaiming the Rice Bowl of Kerala \u2013 Kuttanad Project by TAFE JFarm"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Kuttanad, a unique agricultural tract in Kerala is the only\npart of the world where rice is cultivated at 1.5 to 1.7 m below sea level. The\nwealth of paddy crop and the vast expanse of scenic backwaters is what makes\nthis region unique and a major tourist attraction. However, many farmers around\nthe region have been facing troubles of soil fertility and related issues.\nIdentifying this problem, a group of scientists and agricultural experts from\nTAFE decided to study the issue in-depth and come up with a solution to help\nthe paddy farmers in the Kuttanad region of Kerala.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Image Source: keralatourism.org <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Problem Description<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Reclamation of Acid Sulphate Soil\u2019 for Kuttanad Wetland\nSystem in Kerala, during Punja (winter season) with the aim to improve\nproductivity and reduce cost of cultivation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key problems faced by Kuttanad farmers were:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Problem of acid sulphate soil leading to<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Declining productivity of land<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. High cost of production <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Acid sulphate soils are\nnaturally occurring soils, sediments or organic substrates that are formed\nunder waterlogged conditions. The soil is highly impervious facilitating the\ncultivation of rice, but is extremely acidic in reaction due to microbial\noxidation of organic matter resulting in iron\/aluminum toxicity. This hinders\nthe release of essential elements such as potassium, calcium, magnesium and\nsodium from the soil thus affecting production in the long run. Additionally,\nthe toxicity can create adverse effects on the environment like killing\nvegetation, seeping into and acidifying groundwater <\/a>and surface water bodies, killing fish <\/a>and other aquatic organisms, and degrading concrete <\/a>and steel <\/a>structures to the point of\nfailure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Improved farm practices to overcome soil related problems and improve productivity<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n
    \n
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    TAFE\u2019s J Farm Research Centre\nplayed a vital role in improving the productivity of\nrice and upliftment of farming society in Kuttanad region. The project was\nundertaken in Changankary PO, Edathua Village, Kuttanad, Alappuzha district,\nKerala over a period of four months in the winter season (October-Feb).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    To begin with,\npreliminary soil and effluent water analysis was done\nto understand the complexity of the problem faced by rice growers of Kuttanad\ndistrict. The local village head and progressive farmers were roped in to\nshowcase the benefit of adopting a better\npackage of practices. Interventions introduced under the project included, transfer of better package of practices:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n