Meenangadi Village Panchayat has won the C Achutha Menon Memorial Award 2025, instituted by the Department of Agriculture Development & Farmers’ Welfare, for its exemplary performance in the state’s agricultural sector. The award jury recognised the panchayat’s series of eco-friendly initiatives, including the Oxygen Park project, increased budget allocation for agriculture, the School Poultry scheme, and value-addition projects that have boosted farmers’ incomes.

Oxygen Park
Launched in 2024, the Oxygen Park initiative saw the planting of 144 bamboo saplings from 12 species on abandoned land at Puzhankuni. Once mature, these are expected to generate 43,200 kg of oxygen annually and sequester 11,520 tonnes of carbon dioxide.

The panchayat also divided its jurisdiction into clusters for soil testing, issued soil health cards, and prepared a soil fertility map. To address organic carbon deficiency, it distributed Nutrifish organic manure and trained 500 farmers in bio-farming methods.

Agriculture 
As part of its industry-linked aloe vera farming project, farmers received training in value addition, leading to the establishment of a unit producing aloe vera gel and face wash. The initiative builds on the Carbon Neutral Meenangadi mission launched in 2016.

The panchayat also revived the Agri Action Force, which produces organic fertilisers, biocontrol agents such as Trichoderma, and provides manpower for farm operations. More than two lakh coffee plants were distributed, farm essentials were supplied via Krishi Bhavans, and several dried-up streams and water sources were rejuvenated.

Panchayat president K E Vinayan told Onmanorama that the recognition reflects years of sustained efforts to promote nature-friendly farming, and serves as both an inspiration and a responsibility to continue the mission.

The award carries ₹10 lakh, a citation, and a plaque. Meenangadi’s Agricultural Officer, Jyothi George, was also named the state’s third-best agriculture officer.

A delegation from the panchayat will receive the honour from Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on August 17 — the first day of the Malayalam month of Chingam, observed as Farmers’ Day — at a ceremony in Thrissur.