As paddy yields decline, farmers of kole wetlands find themselves in deep water

FARMERS of the kole wetlands of Thrissur have sought urgent intervention to arrest declining paddy yields, which have been attributed to several reasons, including climate change.

- GOPIKA VARRIER @ Thrissur

Kole farming is a planned, scientific process which begins with the de-watering of fields. As part of creating the right environment for paddy, lime (kummayam) is used before sowing seeds. Generally, rice varieties such as Jaya and Uma are used for cultivation in the kole fields.

The activity is monitored by the kole padavukal, committees of farmers, with technical assistance from the Kerala Agricultural University (KAU).

According to K K Kochumuhammed, president of the Kole Karshaka Sangham, "Farmers are in misery as their struggle against climate change goes hand in hand with the fight for their rights. From reducing the amount of lime to delaying payments, the state government and the agriculture department have been ignoring our plight."