The harvest festival at the controversial Metran Kayal polder will commence on Friday. This is the second consecutive season of harvesting of paddy at the polder that had been lying fallow for more than eight years following its takeover by a corporate for tourism purposes.
Roni Varghese, Special Officer, Metran Kayal, and Agriculture Officer at Kumarakom Krishhi Bhavan, said a better yield was expected this year.
“Last season we had an average yield of two tonnes per acre. This is expected to go up. Moreover, last time we cultivated 300 acres only. This year, we have brought almost the entire area, more than 400 acres, under paddy,” he said.
An interesting feature this season was that Rakindo, the GCC-based corporate that had taken over the polder, decided to cooperate with the cultivation campaign, instead of opposing it as it had done last time.
Its share of the polder was bundled out on lease to 83 farmers who had formed collectives.
“In fact, almost all political parties other then the Congress joined the effort through their respective farmers’ collectives,” Mr. Varghese said. “Even farmers from Kainakari (Alappuzha district) are part of our effort,” he added.
The farmers are also in high spirits since immediate disbursal of remuneration is on the cards. Banks have inked agreements with Supplyco in this regard.
“Those farmers who produce their paddy receipt sheet (PRS) issued by Supplyco at their banks will receive money within three days,” Mr. Varghese said.
Minister for Agriculture V.S. Sunil Kumar will inaugurate the harvest festival on Friday evening at a function chaired by K. Suresh Kurup, MLA, at the polder. Jose K. Mani, MP, will be the guest of honour.
