2024-10-11

The orientation workshop to introduce the climate-resilient paddy farming protocol took place on October 11, 2024, at Cheepungal, Arpookara, Kottayam. The event was organized by the Tropical Institute of Ecological Sciences (TIES), Kottayam, in collaboration with the Kelakkari Vattakkayal Nellulpadaka Samithi, as part of the NABARD-funded project titled “Study on the Impact of Climate Change on Rice Cultivation in Kerala and the Development of Adaptation and Mitigation Strategies.” The project aims to address several key challenges in rice farming in Kerala by ranking and prioritizing the issues faced by farmers and thereby developing a climate-friendly farming protocol for Kerala based on best mitigation and adaptation practices followed by successful rice farmers. 

Shri Sreenivasan, Secretary of the Samithi, welcomed the participants, while President Surendran presided over the session. Dr. Punnen Kurian, Secretary of TIES, introduced the institute and provided an overview of the project. Following this, Ms. Habi Sherin, Project Coordinator, delivered a comprehensive presentation on the newly developed climate-resilient paddy farming protocol. The meeting was attended by 25 participants.

Farmers actively engaged in the discussion, raising queries that were addressed in real-time, fostering a productive conversation around the practical application of the protocol. The farmers expressed their willingness to implement the protocol and committed to presenting it to other members of the Samithi in the next meeting, scheduled for the end of the month.

The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Project Assistant Mr. Aditya Sabu, marking a successful and collaborative first step in promoting climate-resilient farming practices.