Koithum Vithayum' today; tribal people to benefit

KOZHIKODE: Wayanad will witness the harvest as well as the sowing of seeds on December 18 at Nelliyambam in Kaniyambatta grama panchayat. 'Koithum Vithayum,' the programme organised by the CARD CFCD project (Christian agency for rural development - Child focused community development), along with Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR) is focusing on organic farming and development of tribal people.  The aim is to sow ragi (Finger millet) seeds in the same field soon after the paddy harvest.  

Tribal community was largely involved in the agrarian process and they will also take care of the ragi cultivation. "The organic paddy farming has been done in 12 acres of leased land. Farmers like Kavalan, Jayan and Sekharan led the farming with the expertise of well-known agrarian Cheruvayal Raman," said K.Y. Jacob, director of CARD. Seeds such as Uma and Gandhakashala are being sown for paddy farming.

Three years back, the success of organic farming buoyed the organisers to expand the cultivation this time. "Ragi is known for its health benefits as a balanced diet. It was a major crop in Wayanad years back. Another major reason for selecting ragi is based on our survey finding that the tribal children, especially Paniya, Adiya communities, are suffering from malnutrition and ragi is the best diet to address this," elaborated Mr Jacob.

The profit from the cultivation will be given to the farmers who are included in the project. The rice which removed only 20 percent of bran had a high demand last year. This year also the rice, which is a proper diet for diabetic patients, will be distributed through CARD Gramashakti and Gramolpannam units. CARD is even trying to market the rice under the brand name Wayanad.