Kozhikode, Saturday 04 July 2009: An ambitious plan to bring 15,000 hectares of fallow land under paddy cultivation by 2011 has been envisaged as part of a Malabar package to increase rice production in the State.

At a meeting chaired by Agriculture Minister Mullakara Ratnakaran at the civil station, agriculture and irrigation officials from Kozhikode, Malappuram, Kannur, Wayanad and Kasaragod districts proposed projects that are to be included in the scheme.

Directing that all proposals should be submitted by July 31, the Minister said the main objective of the package would be to take up infrastructure development projects which would create a solid base for the return of paddy cultivation in a big way.
He urged the officers to include in their schemes welfare objectives for farmers.

He also called on them to do a study of the fallow land, soil conditions and the paddy variety best suited for the area.

Ratnakaran reminded the officials that the ‘Ellavarum Paadathekku’ programme was being implemented not only for farmers but also for agriculture officers, people’s representatives and agriculture scientists.
“The 50,000 tonnes of rice that can be cultivated from the 15,000 hectares of fallow land will give a big boost to Malabar’s economy,” he said.

The Minister said that four long-term irrigation projects at Ponnani, Kabani, Mepayyur and Katapally would be given due consideration in the Malabar package.

Ratnakaran parried questions on the problems of coconut farmers and said a separate meeting would be called to discuss the issue.