Alappuzha: As all flooded Kuttanad Paadasekharams actively pump out flood water into the river, there's call for water-saving irrigation (WSI) techniques.
Experts say it is high time to adopt such techniques to improve yield and flood reduction instead of draining them into the sea.
According to the IMD data, Kerala has received 1804 mm rainfall this season so far, which is much above the average (1522mm).
Interestingly, the rest of the country had received only 481mm against the average southwest monsoon of 538 mm.
Although Kerala received copious rainfall, there are no effective WSI techniques employed in our vast paddy polders.
Dr K.G, Padmakumar, director, International Research and Training Centre for Below Sea Level Farming, points out it is high time we revived the practice of Thalakulam (head pond).
He says in the past every paddy polders used to have at least a Thalakulam. But this tradition disappeared with the new generation farming system after introduction of river water projects.
