Want some top class Navara for your meal?

Thrissur: We applauded the movie hero who, after finishing his studies, took to the soil and harvested rich yields. We showered our ‘likes’ when we saw him on Facebook. We commented relentlessly. But what happens when you encounter him in real life? When harvesting was done on Navara crop cultivated on four acres of land by a group of eleven friends including students and higher degree holders, there were very few takers. At the time of starting the cultivation, they got lavish appreciation on Facebook; they garnered nearly six thousand likes and comments. One would have been delusional to not hope that that all those applause would convert into orders for the rice. However, it turned out to be a misplaced thought. Those who believe in taking a little extra care for their health during Karkkitakam month may please approach these folks. They have excellent Navara rice with its bran intact, which would make some good [Karkkidaka Kanji](http://food.manoramaonline.com/food/in-season/karkidaka-kanji-rice-porridge-monsoon-recipes-kerala-food.html/ "Navara Kanji Recipe") An eleven-member friends’ group in Mupliyam Nooluvalli had undertaken the Navara cultivation on four acres of land. The Navara cultivation idea was the brainchild of M. S. Sumesh who works as an assistant director in the film field. Sumesh who has been cultivating Navara on one acre of agricultural land in the past four years decided to expand his agriculture by roping in friends as well last October. The friends’ circle includes students, MBA degree holders and technical experts. They decided to take three more acres of land on lease. Out of this, one acre was barren land. They carried out all the tasks from sowing to harvesting on their own. Assistance was sought from some helpers only for harvesting. A thousand kilograms of Navara paddy was thus harvested. It was ground without losing the bran and 650 kilograms of rice was stored. But the real crisis was yet to come. There was no market to be found for the rice! When good quality Navara rice costs over Rs 300 per kilogram, they sell it for a lesser rate of Rs 230 a kilo. They promise to deliver it to the homes of interested parties. Their contact number is: 9400164648.