Farmer in Piravom harvests success by experimenting with organic paddy

Piravom: At a time when farming without chemical fertilizers and pesticides are considered near impossible, Mohandas Mukundan’s organic paddy farm in Piravom is proving that chemical-free cultivation can be easy, productive and profitable, as he completes his third consecutive year of harvesting without fertilisers or pesticides.

According to him, high yield and low expenditure are the hallmarks of his cultivation method. A former engineer with OEN Company, Mohandas is experimenting with organic paddy farming on half an acre of land in the Mulakklam polders. He adopted the organic model after realising the harmful impact of chemical fertilisers and pesticides on human health. Under this method, paddy seeds are first sown for germination and nurtured into saplings before being transplanted into the field.

Before planting, the saplings are nourished with an organic manure called Jeevamritham, made by combining cow dung and urine from indigenous cows, which serves as a foundation fertiliser. Around 100 kilograms of Jeevamritham are required for his half-acre plot.

Before the paddy complete 90 days, Jeevamritham is applied two more times. According to Mohandas, this practice keeps pests to a minimum. If necessary, a mixture made from garlic is sprayed on the leaves, and tricho cards, which attract friendly pests to ward off harmful ones, are also used.

From his half-acre plot, Mohandas harvests up to 650 kilograms of paddy each season. This is taken to a mill in Kandanad and converted into rice. The rice left over after personal use is usually sold locally at Rs. 100 per kilogram.

According to Mohandas, the only challenge he faces is meeting the demand for his organically grown rice.