Date:27/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/27/stories/2008082753820400.htm

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Recounting success stories in farming

Special Correspondent

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Institute of Local Administration, with the assistance of the Local Self Government Department, is organising a series of participatory study-cum-training programmes to popularise the success achieved by some panchayats in agriculture and allied areas and to replicate it in other places.

The first such programme, which is on paddy cultivation, will be held in Kodakara in Thrissur district on August 29 and 30. The background of the issue is as follows. Kerala’s failure to achieve self sufficiency in food production had been identified as a serious challenge facing the State. This led to the decision to give more importance to the production sector. For this, 40 per cent of the plan funds was set apart as part of the People’s Plan process. Even though the achievements in general are not up to the expectations, many novel ideas, experiments and ventures took shape in the sector. Some local bodies made phenomenal achievements and created models worthy of emulation.

During the second phase of the People’s Plan, the government proposes to emulate these models by bringing about changes necessitated by local conditions and peculiarities. The goal is to make local bodies step up food production by making use of opportunities like the Employment Guarantee Scheme.

The study-cum-training programme will enable those interested in learning about local bodies’ success in the area of food production to see for themselves the model development programmes and learn from them.

The schedule

The programme on vegetable cultivation will be held in Kanjikuzhi in Alappuzha district on September 4 and 5, on egg and meat production at Brahmagiri in Wayanad district in the first week of October, on coconut cultivation at Perambra in Kozhikode district on October 4 and 5 and on dairy development at Neyyar Dam in Thiruvananthapuram district in the first week of November.

More details can be had from the Director, KILA, Mulamkunnathukavu, Thrissur 680 581. The contact numbers are 0487-2201768, 2200244.