Jisha Surya
Thiruvananthapuram: The Karshika Karma Sena, launched in 2008 to augment agricultural activities in Kudappanakunnu grama panchayat here, has come a long way. The project, introduced by the local Krishi Bhavan, has scripted a success story by turning almost 250 hectares of barren land belonging to various government institutions into farmlands and inducing over 20,000 individuals to homestead farming.
The government now plans to extend the service to 85 more panchayats. The project even got a mention in the budget speech of finance minister K M Mani, who suggested that the Kudappanakkunnu model should be adopted by all Krishi Bhavans.
“From Cliff House to the collector’s bungalow, several pieces of government land have been turned into hi-tech farm lands, where we produce vegetables, banana and tuber crops. We also have over 20,000 individuals as regular customers, who get our support in supply of labourers, machinery, saplings, guidance etc,” sena coordinator Binulal K G said.
In the past five years, the sena has definitely brought about a change in perception about agriculture. “Our aim is to make agriculture a profit-making vocation and attract more youths to farming. Our trained labourers are known as agriculture technicians and their number has grown from eight to 100-odd now,” he said.
Those interested can call 0471-2731322 or 9447005998 and register themselves as a customer of the sena, which will send a supervisor to inspect the land and suggest the suitable cultivation. The sena will then prepare an estimate of the cost involved. It will send its labourers, machinery and other material if the customer agrees to the rate.
“The farmers get an estimate of the amount required for the work in advance. They can also avoid unnecessary spending. With the help of hi-tech farming, efficiency increases three-fold while the cost can be cut to one-third,” Binulal said.
The sena provides training to its customers besides providing regular ones with seeds and saplings free of cost.
Thiruvananthapuram: The Karshika Karma Sena, launched in 2008 to augment agricultural activities in Kudappanakunnu grama panchayat here, has come a long way. The project, introduced by the local Krishi Bhavan, has scripted a success story by turning almost 250 hectares of barren land belonging to various government institutions into farmlands and inducing over 20,000 individuals to homestead farming.
The government now plans to extend the service to 85 more panchayats. The project even got a mention in the budget speech of finance minister K M Mani, who suggested that the Kudappanakkunnu model should be adopted by all Krishi Bhavans.
“From Cliff House to the collector’s bungalow, several pieces of government land have been turned into hi-tech farm lands, where we produce vegetables, banana and tuber crops. We also have over 20,000 individuals as regular customers, who get our support in supply of labourers, machinery, saplings, guidance etc,” sena coordinator Binulal K G said.
In the past five years, the sena has definitely brought about a change in perception about agriculture. “Our aim is to make agriculture a profit-making vocation and attract more youths to farming. Our trained labourers are known as agriculture technicians and their number has grown from eight to 100-odd now,” he said.
Those interested can call 0471-2731322 or 9447005998 and register themselves as a customer of the sena, which will send a supervisor to inspect the land and suggest the suitable cultivation. The sena will then prepare an estimate of the cost involved. It will send its labourers, machinery and other material if the customer agrees to the rate.
“The farmers get an estimate of the amount required for the work in advance. They can also avoid unnecessary spending. With the help of hi-tech farming, efficiency increases three-fold while the cost can be cut to one-third,” Binulal said.
The sena provides training to its customers besides providing regular ones with seeds and saplings free of cost.
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