Primary Country (Mandatory)

United States

Other Country (Optional)

Set News Language for United States

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language[s] (Optional)
No other language available

Set News Language for World

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language(s) (Optional)

Set News Source for United States

Primary Source (Mandatory)
CNN
Other Source[s] (Optional)

Set News Source for World

Primary Source (Mandatory)
AajTak
Other Source(s) (Optional)
  • Countries
    • India
    • United States
    • Qatar
    • Germany
    • China
    • Canada
    • World
  • Categories
    • National
    • International
    • Business
    • Entertainment
    • Sports
    • Special
    • All Categories
  • Available Languages for United States
    • English
  • All Languages
    • English
    • Hindi
    • Arabic
    • German
    • Chinese
    • French
  • Sources
    • India
      • AajTak
      • NDTV India
      • The Hindu
      • India Today
      • Zee News
      • NDTV
      • BBC
      • The Wire
      • News18
      • News 24
      • The Quint
      • ABP News
      • Zee News
      • News 24
    • United States
      • CNN
      • Fox News
      • Al Jazeera
      • CBSN
      • NY Post
      • Voice of America
      • The New York Times
      • HuffPost
      • ABC News
      • Newsy
    • Qatar
      • Al Jazeera
      • Al Arab
      • The Peninsula
      • Gulf Times
      • Al Sharq
      • Qatar Tribune
      • Al Raya
      • Lusail
    • Germany
      • DW
      • ZDF
      • ProSieben
      • RTL
      • n-tv
      • Die Welt
      • Süddeutsche Zeitung
      • Frankfurter Rundschau
    • China
      • China Daily
      • BBC
      • The New York Times
      • Voice of America
      • Beijing Daily
      • The Epoch Times
      • Ta Kung Pao
      • Xinmin Evening News
    • Canada
      • CBC
      • Radio-Canada
      • CTV
      • TVA Nouvelles
      • Le Journal de Montréal
      • Global News
      • BNN Bloomberg
      • Métro
MoreBack to News Headlines
Nature takes firm root in these veggie farms
Premium

Nature takes firm root in these veggie farms Premium

The Hindu
Friday, July 28, 2023 9:13 AM GMT

Most kitchen gardens at Kanjikuzhy in Alappuzha sport lush vegetable and fruit crops, cultivated organically. The grama panchayat’s initiative has brought in good profits, better health. The farmers are not averse to experiments either. However, climate change is prompting second thoughts

The modest front yard of Asha Shaiju’s home at Charamangalam in Kanjikuzhy grama panchayat is a mélange of greenery. There are hybrid okra plants, the ready-to-harvest pods hanging on the plants; red spinach; brinjal; and chilli. A winner of the Kerala government’s Yuvakarshaka, best young woman farmer in the State award, Shaiju, who once dreamed of becoming a teacher, ventured into farming 12 years ago. “It is a dawn to dusk, 365 days a year kind of job, but I am passionate about agriculture. It’s rewarding and gives me a lot of satisfaction,” says Shaiju, snipping okra. 

Shaiju, now in her mid-30s set up this backyard kitchen garden on 13.75 cents (a little over 500 metres) inspired by the Haritha Samrudhi project of the panchayat in the coastal district of Alappuzha. On another 7.5 acres of land, she grows a host of vegetables and fruits including long beans, tomato, brinjal, cabbage, broccoli, chilli, and papaya, all in an organic way. Her farm, spread across different patches of land, produces 100 kg of vegetables daily during peak periods. 

Shaiju is not the only one scripting a success story in farming in this local body with a population of around 31,000 (9,200 families). According to the local Krishibhavan, there are 7,500 active farmers in Kanjikuzhy who undertake farming on a few cents to several acres of land. The farmers produced 2,200 tonnes of vegetables from 250 hectares in 2021-22. The production increased to 2,500 tonnes in 2022-23. 

“Though the enthusiasm witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic when people used every available space for farming has dropped a bit, the overall interest in agriculture still remains. While a number of farmers grow their produce adhering to the norms of organic farming, others use good agriculture practices (GAP),” says Janish Rose Jacob, agricultural officer, Krishibhavan, Kanjikuzhy. 

At veteran farmer K.P. Subhakesan’s farm, there are about 30 varieties of vegetables and fruits on 20 acres with an eye on the upcoming Onam festival. “I started vegetable farming on two cents with seven varieties of seeds provided by the panchayat under the Janakeeya Pachakari scheme in 1994-95. It increased to 10 cents, 25 cents, and now here I am,” says Subhakesan. Part of his farm includes land which he has leased for the purpose. 

Local drive 

It was in 1994-95 the local body, which used to procure vegetables from outside the area, began its journey towards attaining self-sufficiency in vegetable production. “The then panchayat president P.P. Swathanthryam, the driving force behind the organic vegetable revolution in Kanjikuzhy, launched the scheme with the sole purpose of producing chemical-free veggies. The local body distributed seed kits to households to set up kitchen gardens. Slowly villagers made it a habit to grow vegetables for their own use, while some started to grow it in bulk after identifying the potential of the organic produce,” says Subhakesan, 50, who relinquished his job in the Kerala State Electricity Board to stick with organic farming. 

Read full story on The Hindu
Share this story on:-
Run 3 Space | Play Space Running GamePlay Run 3, the ultimate space tunnel running game with 300+ challenging levels!Adv.
Traffic Jam 3D | Online Racing GameTraffic Jam 3D is a game where you’ll be driving through heavy traffic.Adv.
Duck Hunt | Play Old Classic GamePlay the classic 1984 light gun shooter game Duck Hunt on your browser.Adv.
More Related News
Ahmedabad plane crash: Another body recovered from crash site; medical college confirms four MBBS students among victims

Firefighters discover body at Air India crash site in Ahmedabad; medical students among casualties, identification process ongoing.

West Bengal clashes: Senior police officers in Rabindra Nagar transferred post-violence

Senior police officers transferred after communal clashes in Maheshtala; BJP criticizes transfers, police claim routine, new officers appointed.

Revanth extends all out support to Telugu Film industry, urges collaboration for Telangana’s $3 trillion vision

Chief Minister Revanth Reddy urges Tollywood to join Telangana's $3 trillion economy mission, emphasizing support for film industry growth.

Manipur unites in grief, across the ethnic divide

Manipur unites in grief after Flight AI-171 crash, mourning loss of crew members from Meitei and Thadou communities.

Retailers at Mahanti Fish Market oppose relocation proposal, say it will cost their livelihood

Mahanti Fish Market in Vijayawada faces relocation proposal by VMC due to traffic issues, sparking debate among workers and sellers.

Fear of flotsam

Flotsam from Liberian cargo vessel reaches Kanniyakumari coast, prompting pollution concerns; clean-up efforts under way.

Once in neglect, Channasandra lake gets second lease of life

Residents celebrate successful revival of B. Channasandra lake in Bengaluru through collaborative efforts, overcoming challenges and threats.

Indian professionals stranded in Georgia amid regional flight suspensions

61 persons from Rajasthan stranded in Georgia seek Indian government's help amid flight suspensions due to Israel-Iran conflict.

Honeymoon hit job in serene Sohra

Rare event in Hima Sohra, Meghalaya, where a visitor was killed, sparking a murder mystery and tourist safety concerns.

Facelift for Chamundi Hills inches closer to reality under PRASHAD scheme

Chamundi Hills development under PRASHAD scheme progresses with State and Centre funding, enhancing amenities for tourists and devotees.

Preventive detention must not act as a substitute for criminal prosecution or bail: SC judgment

Supreme Court cautions against misuse of preventive detention, emphasizing it should not replace criminal prosecution or bail orders.

Resolve GST rate ambiguity on flavoured milk, levy 5%: dairy industry

Telangana dairy industry seeks uniform 5% GST rate on flavoured milk for clarity, consistency, and fair taxation.

Kondapalli fort comes alive with yoga enthusiasts

Hundreds of people gathered at Kondapalli Fort on the outskirts of Vijayawada at the break of dawn on Saturday to take part in the Yogandhra programme organised by the NTR district administration.

Parking Slot | Free Parking GamePlay Parking Slot, the best online 3D car driving and parking game.Adv.
Slope Ball Run - Play OnlineSlope Game takes you on an exciting journey of a ball on special paths.Adv.
Tree planting drive at Sri Venkateswara Hindu Colony Middle School in Nanganallur

In a heartfelt celebration of World Environment Day, students of Sri Venkateswara Middle School in Nanganallur undertook a tree saplings planting initiative on June 11, 2025. The activity saw enthusiastic participation as students, along with teachers and staff, planted saplings around the school campus, including the school playground. Though World Environment Day was officially observed on June 5, the school extended the spirit of the occasion by organising the event later in the week to ensure full student involvement. The aim was not only to beautify the school but also to instill a sense of environmental responsibility among young learners. The event concluded with a short awareness session where students pledged to care for the plants and spread the message of environmental protection within their communities. Besides, the students and teachers took a pledge to protect the environment.

AIADMK MLA R.B. Udayakumar detained for visiting ransacked police station in Madurai district

AIADMK MLA R.B. Udayakumar detained after attempting to visit ransacked police station, sparking political controversy.

CM Stalin to inaugurate Katpadi’s first full-fledged government hospital

M.K. Stalin to inaugurate modern 60-bedded government hospital in Katpadi with advanced facilities on June 25.

Traffic reforms fail to decongest Vyttila

Demand for fast-tracking ₹1-crore Vyttila Junction redevelopment project grows due to traffic congestion despite recent reforms.

How should sexual abuse survivors be treated? | Explained Premium

Delhi High Court issues guidelines for streamlined procedures in hospitals handling MTP cases for sexual assault survivors.

Cooking oils can help recover silver Premium

Silver is crucial in clean energy production and electronics, with a new method using fatty acids for recycling.

Folk singer, actor Kollangudi Karuppayee passes away at 99

Renowned folk singer and actor Kollangudi Karuppayee dies at 99, leaving behind a legacy in Tamil cinema.

Residents demand widening of narrow Thazhambur Road

Residents of Navalur are calling for the widening of the narrow Thazhambur Road due to safety concerns and traffic congestion.

DPR for ₹1,600-crore project for dredging Benni Halla in final stages: Lad

Labour Minister and Dharwad district in charge Santosh Lad has said that the only solution for the frequent flooding of Benni Halla and other streams in Dharwd district was the complete dredging of Benni Halla and widening of nalas and in this regard the government had planned a ₹1,600-crore project.

Six students from T.N. figure in top 100 ranks in NEET UG 2025

Top NEET UG 2025 performers from Tamil Nadu share their study routines, aspirations, and success stories.

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar to arrive Puducherry on Sunday

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar's two-day visit to Puducherry includes lectures, interactions, and planting a sapling in his mother's name.

When Tamil Nadu’s prominent political leader, Mohan Kumaramangalam, died in 1973 air crash

Recall the forgotten air crash that killed Tamil Nadu leader Mohan Kumaramangalam in 1973, overshadowed by other tragedies.

© 2008 - 2025 Webjosh  |  News Archive  |  Privacy Policy  |  Contact Us