Demand from Kerala keeps them in business

In spite of their struggles, demand for cow dung at organic farms in Kerala keep the kidai system alive and thriving in the region, say the herders. Even as the agriculture season is ending in Kerala, traders from the neighbouring state are procuring dried cow dung. If the traders stop turning up, they will be out of business and cease to exist, a herder said.
“Traders from Kerala pay anywhere between 30 and 60 per a sack of cow dung based on the demand.Each sack contains around 50kgs. A truck load of cow dung will consist of 200 to 250 sacks. The manure is used to raise crops like cauliflower, cabbage and tree crops in the neighbouring state as well as farms in Theni district bordering Kerala,” he told TOI.
The demand will slowly dwindle as the agriculture season is coming to an end, said V Ponraj from Kumuli in Kerala. “Once the southwest monsoon sets in Kerala, the demand will go up since organic farming is done predominantly in the region. Organic manure like cow dung is always in great demand in the region,” he added.
Thanks to the revival of organic farming, the herdsmen feel that they will become relevant again. However, agriculture in Periyar – Vaigai irrigation area has been entirely destroyed due to poor rains. “The only hope as of now is demand for organic manure in Kerala. If they cease to come, I have to sell off the entire herd and abandon my profession,” said M Ramakrishnan, a herd owner in Madurai.