Earth movers enter Methran Kayal to set the land for paddy farming

KOTTAYAM: The dewatering process of Methran Kayal has entered the final phase and earth movers are being used to clear the canals inside the field to set the land suitable for paddy farming. These canals were once used to store water when farming was done here till ten years back. On Tuesday, four earth movers were used for this purpose. Three motors are also being operated to dewater the field where the Government has set goals to launch farming by November beginning.
According to the Kumarakom Agricultural Officer Roni Varghese, it may take another 5-6 days to complete dewatering. After this the land will be cleaned and made suitable for farming by workers under the NREGA scheme. "By using more number of workers we will make the land ready for farming in two days," he said. Following this, the soil here will be send for testing at the Regional Agricultural Research Station in Kumarakom, he added. The usage of lime and fertilisers for farming will be based on the soil test report. He also said that the seeds will be brought from the National Seed Corporation in Palakkad by month end. Farming will be done by the Padasekhara Samithi’s under the supervision of the District Collector.
Methran Kayal hit the headlines earlier this year after the previous UDF Government gave nod for a tourism project in a hurry. Following protests, the Government was forced to withdraw the order. The LDF Government which followed took a stand that it will allow only farming in this land and not any tourism project. Agricultural Minister Sunil Kumar who visited the Methran kayal had set the target of launching farming here by November. The Government is spending around Rs 80 lakhs for this project.
Methran Kayal is among the paddy lands in Kuttanad that has got the heritage status from UNESCO for its unique below sea level farming. However, there was no farming since 2007 after the land was purchased for developing an eco-tourism village.