3 days ago
Young farmers should not ignore role of marketing in farm success, says Scaria Pillai C.J., winner of the 2024 Sibi Kallingal Karshakothama Award
Young people who wish to take up farming should not ignore the role of marketing in making agriculture profitable, says Scaria Pillai C.J., who won the 2024 Sibi Kallingal Memorial Karshakothama Award instituted by the State government on Wednesday.
The veteran farmer from Naleppilly, Palakkad, waxes lyrical about his farming ventures which cover fruits, livestock, pisciculture, and modern farming methods.
Agriculture Minister P. Prasad announced the 2024 State Farm Awards here on Wednesday at a press conference. An award-winning farmer, Mr. Scaria Pillai, 75, says he has been a farmer for the past 58-59 years.
His inventory
Today, he grows, among other things, different varieties of arecanut, coconut, mango, jackfruit, dragon fruit and nutmeg at his farms. 'This place is ideal for mango,' he says of Naleppilly, which is in Chittur taluk. 'Young people who take up farming should also explore avenues for marketing their produce,' he said.
Livestock at his farms include cows and goats. Other activities include hi-tech mushroom farming and aquaponics. His wife Mini is actively involved in the management of the farm, he says. One of his three sons currently manages the family's tourism venture, Thanima Farm Life.
Mr. Scaria Pillai was born in 1951 at Koothattukulam. He moved to Palakkad in the 1970s. He is a recipient of the Karshakashree Award in 2024 and the M.S. Swaminathan Award in 2006.
Mr. Scaria Pillai and his wife Mini have three sons, Richard, Reynold and Harold.
