2025-03-26

A field visit was conducted to assess the progress of paddy cultivation under the ongoing project, "Study on the Impact of Climate Change on Rice Cultivation in Kerala and the Development of Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies," in Kottayam. The team visited the Kelakari Vattakayal Padashekhara Samithi and Akathekari Padashekhara Samithi in Kumarakom to evaluate crop health, weed infestations, and the challenges faced by farmers.

At Kelakari Vattakayal, the crop was 90 days old during the visit, and the grains were in the process of maturing. Shri Sabumon and Mr. Jomon, prominent farmers from Kumarakom, explained that saltwater intrusion had negatively impacted the field, leading to a decrease in crop yield. Furthermore, certain sections of the field contained red-colored water, indicating high acidity in the soil and water. Liming, a potential solution to this issue, is rarely practiced due to its high cost. Shri Sabumon also expressed concerns about the financial viability of rice farming, citing the rising costs as a major challenge. Weed infestations were observed, and the late sowing of the crop in December the previous year was identified as a key factor contributing to the difficulties faced. The delayed sowing disrupted the usual crop calendar, compounding the challenges. On average, Shri Sabumon expects a yield of only about 10 quintals per acre, which is insufficient to make the venture profitable.

At Akathekari, the crop was in the harvesting stage. Similar to Kelakari, saltwater intrusion had affected the field, resulting in plant burn. Shri Mahadevan, a farmer from the area, noted that although infrastructure was adequate, factors such as weather conditions must also align for a successful yield. Due to the low yield this year, he mentioned that he would not plant a second crop next year. He also pointed out that frequent pest and weed infestations have increased crop management costs. Irregular rainfall during the harvest period caused lodging, which raised harvest costs and resulted in a loss of yield. Additionally, Shri Mahadevan highlighted the difficulty of procuring harvested paddy with the correct moisture content due to rainfall, leading to deductions of up to 5 kg per quintal based on moisture content. 

The visit was attended by Dr. Punnen Kurian (Secretary, TIES), Habi Sherin (Project Coordinator), and Aditya Sabu (Project Assistant), along with farmers from Kumarakom, Shri Sabumon and Shri Mahadevan. The project is funded by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).