Kalpetta: Next Maundy Thursday, three parishes in Wayanad district are planning to make their Passover bread (Pesaha Appam) using rice grown in their own courtyard. Three churches under Mananthavady diocese are following the pellet farming technology developed by Aji Thomas. Nearly 500 families at Ambalavayal, Kolavayal and Edappetti are cultivating rice varieties Palthondi and Veliyan through 'Kettinaatti', a mode of farming developed by Aji.
“A land that was known for its paddy fields (Vayal Naadu, which was later shortened to Wayanad), has almost transformed to buying rice from the supermarkets or shops. Many fields were reclaimed and even farmers turned to other professions. In the meantime, we came to know about the new technology and farming method developed by Aji Thomas, and decided that we should try it on an experimental basis,” said Father Chacko Meppurath from Martin de Porres Church, Ambalavayal.
At Ambalavayal alone, nearly 300 families are growing the rice varieties in grow bags, and adding to that is nearly 100 each at Kolavayal and Edappetti. “The pellet seedlings were provided by Aji, and we gave the grow bags to the families. Hopefully, next Maundy Thursday, Pesaha Appam would be made out of the rice gown in the courtyards. One benefit of grow bag cultivation is that one or two people in the family can manage the cultivation up to harvest and processing,” he added.
Aji, who was honoured at the Rural Innovation meet 2017 organised by the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment, took nearly 16 years to develop this form of rice cultivation. “The idea to develop rice in the courtyard was developed from the agriculture department's mission to grow vegetables through organic farming. Kerala had indigenous varieties of rice, which were replaced in course of time for the quantity-targetted agriculture. Through this new technology, quality as well quantity have been taken care of,” says Aji.
Instead of the traditional method, here, the seeds are mixed in an organic mixture that includes cow dung and filled in a rubber mould 64 holes to make pellets. Later, the mould is removed and pellets are dried for 12 hours. Before planting, these pellets have to be sprinkled with water and the seeds germinate within 72 hours.
The families are planning to harvest the paddy within 110 days. Fr Chacko said that they are yet to decide whether the rice has to be processed individually or in some common land.
