Nedumbassery: Minister for Agriculture P Prasad on Monday urged farmers to tap into the commercial potential of lotus cultivation. He was inaugurating the launch of lotus farming in the Madhurappuram, Mallussery, Parambussery, and Manjalithodu polders, areas that had remained fallow for decades.

The initiative marks a new beginning for the long waterlogged Madhurappuram–Mallussery polders, where cultivation had been abandoned over forty years ago. The project is being led by Sajeev and Subhash, natives of Thirunavaya, who recently initiated lotus farming on a 30-acre plot near Puthur Kayal in Thrissur. The duo has also been contracted to supply lotus buds and flowers to several temples where lotus is a key offering.

Paddy cultivation has long ceased in the region due to persistent waterlogging and the spread of water hyacinth, the farmers plan to begin lotus cultivation on 15 acres in the first phase, expanding it to as much as 100 acres based on success.

MLA Anwar Sadath, Panchayat President A V Sunil, Vice-President Shobha Bharathan, Block Panchayat President T V Pradeesh, District Panchayat Standing Committee Chairman M J Jomy and other local panchayat representatives, including Antony Kayyala, Biji Suresh, Jessy George, Annie Kunjumon, C O Martin, and District Agriculture Officer Sanju Susan Mathew, were present.