Steps are on to extend the traditional Kaipad paddy cultivation in brackish water fields in the Ezhome panchayat area as the rice produced from the crop is being included in the Geographical Indications (GI) registry of the country.An official press release here said the Kaipad cultivation in the panchayat limits would be doubled from 75 hectares to 150 hectares next year.
350 hectares
The panchayat had nearly 350 hectares of Kaipad fields, and in the coming years, the fields left fallow for many years would be cultivated.
People’s Planning
The release said the Kaipad revival project, under the People’s Planning programme, was being implemented by the local Krishi Bhavan.The uncultivated fields with thick undergrowth would be cleared under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employees’ Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).
Aid to farmers
Farmers would be given Rs. 4,500 a hectare to plough the fields.The farmers would also get nearly Rs. 10,000 a hectare by way of production bonus and other subsidies. The official release said traditional and hybrid paddy varieties would be used for the Kaipad cultivation.
Kaipad cultivation in Ezhome panchayat limits will be doubled from 75 to 150 hectares next year.
Source: The Hindu, 20 August 2013