a day ago
Meenangadi panchayat bags C. Achutha Menon Memorial Award for best agricultural practices
Meenangadi grama panchayat in Wayanad district has earned State-level recognition in agriculture by adopting innovative methods to integrate farming into the daily lives of its people. The panchayat has bagged the C. Achutha Menon Memorial Award for best agricultural practices in Kerala. In addition, Jyothi C. George of the Meenangadi Krishi Bhavan has been recognised as the third-best agricultural officer in the State.
Over the past few years, the panchayat has consistently allocated more than the mandatory 30% of its budget to agriculture and allied activities. 'It has been a long-pending demand of farmers here. We prioritised one crop each year and worked to revive our organic farming structure,' said K.E. Vinayan, panchayat president.
While coffee, black pepper, and areca nut remain the regular crops in Meenangadi, ginger, plantain, and elephant foot yam are also cultivated as interim crops. Through the 'Mannorukkam' project, the panchayat encouraged the cultivation of additional tubers, including colocasia, Asiatic yam, and sweet potato.
The total available agricultural land was divided into clusters, and the soil was tested. Based on the results, soil health cards were distributed among the farmers, and a soil fertility map was published. To bridge fertility gaps, the panchayat distributed organic fertilisers.
A school poultry scheme was also introduced, under which interested children were given 10 chickens each for egg production. The eggs were purchased by schools for the mid-day meal scheme, and the proceeds were deposited in the children's 'Sanchayika' accounts. 'This created an interest in both farming and savings among children,' Mr. Vinayan said.
The Karshika Karma Sena (agricultural action group), which had remained inactive for years, was revived to provide subsidised services to farmers.
'Over time, we developed a self-sustaining agricultural ecosystem by producing all types of fertilisers locally instead of depending on external agencies. This also helped ensure the quality of our crops and products,' Mr. Vinayan added.
Another highlight was the creation of an Oxygen Park, where 144 bamboo shoots of 14 species were planted on 52 cents of barren land. 'We have bagged the Swaraj Trophy for best panchayat in Wayanad district for the past four years. Funds remain our only limitation,' the panchayat president said.
Mr. Vinayan will receive the award on behalf of the panchayat from Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday (August 17), the first day of Chingam, observed as Farmers' Day in Kerala. The award carries ₹10 lakh in cash, a memento, and a citation.
