Organic farming changes lives of special people

KOZHIKODE: The Nayanar Balikasadanam here  has turned a barren land into a flourishing organic farm with the participation of 22 differently-abled inmates  and proved that farming helps them cope with their  problems and join the mainstream society.

The  Balikasadanam near  Erahnjipalam, which was abandoned by the then trustee, was handed over to the  Uralungal labour Contract Cooperative Society (ULCCS) foundation. Within a short span of time, it has made it a rehabilitation centre for the 22 inmates below the age of 25. With the support of agricultural department and the trainers of Balikasadanam, the students have gradually learnt the nuances of farming and set  an example to  others.

Mr A. Abhilash,  one of the in-charges of ULCCS foundation, told DC that 80 cents of land was earlier left uncultivated and the pond there was  ruined. “But now with the efforts of the students, the land has become a beautiful vegetable farm and the pond has been cleaned,”  he said.

The items grown here include spinach, cucumbers, pumpkins, ash gourds, ladies finger, 150 shoots of banana saplings,  bitter gourd and tomatoes.  Nearly 15 kilograms of spinach was harvested  and distributed among the neighbours and the students who worked for the farm.

The majority of the students,  who had refused to step into the mud with bare foot earlier, now actively work for the farm, he added. The seeds required were brought from the state seed farm in Palakkad.