Dr Suvarna Nalapat Trust http://www.scribd.

com/doc/98073493/AgriculturalHistory-of-India-Research-Project-in-Kerala

 This project examined the community development

programmes of India based on the past and present of the Kol Krishi project , in Punnayurkulam, Malabar and formulated ideas for enhanced productivity in future.1

Objectives were
1. To increase productivity of rice, the staple diet of South

India, decrease the GHI (global hunger index) of India. 2. long-term solutions for conservation of water for irrigation , ,pure water supply development of fallow land for cultivation . 3.Fish culture to increase state revenue 4. Development of existing canal system to conserve water for perennial cultivation, navigation of small boats , tourism facilities 5. Review of historical problems faced in the area, how the people of the land had adjusted and responded on cooperative basis to them in pre-colonial, colonial ,postcolonial periods.

 6. Review present status of agriculture, industry ,

economy and problems of food production of the area. 7. Development and rural reconstruction based solutions to problems in food production, which provide people and state with increase in revenue and stabilize civil society. 8. Providing solutions to the local problems, benefit state ,nation and global community because of ecological impacts.

Materials and methods

1 Extensive Literature search to learn the history

of Indian Agriculture in 1 1.The pre-independent India A.The ancient vedic ,Prevedic India B.Archeological and foreign sources of information C.Historic India from BC 500-AD 1500 (sathavaahana Vijayanagara) D.AD 1500-AD 1947 Moghul , British periods

 2.Independent India

A.1947-1967 The first three plan periods .The beginning of reconstruction(20 yrs) B.1967-1999. Stabilisation(20 years) C.from 1999-till date(10 years)

Current status,problems,solutions
A.Field survey of area selected
B. Interview village people ( informal questions based

on literature survey ). C .Punnayurkulam Krishibhavan D.Punnayurkulam village panchayath ,and village office E. Kol krishi co-operative society

Punnayurkulam Parur Padav

Why was this area selected?

1.The only freshwater lake in Malabar 2.Historically described from samgam ages 3. Nila alias Bharathapuzha ,a natural waterway from

Arabian sea to Palghat pass . Palghat pass was ruled by Chera kingdom .A very important trade root 4.Mid position on west coast of Kerala. 5.Agricultural situation described by Logan in his manual 6. kol puncha fields specific,comparable in weather ,productivity to cherrapunchi in Assam, even in name.

 7.Best possible agricultural spot of Kudanaad of

Cherra(as opposed to kuttanaad in south) 8.I was born in Punnayurkulam in preindependent India .My father was a farmer and owned puncha kol lands I have seen the changes happening to the agriculture,to the co-operatives from my childhood. I have been part and parcel of programmes including Bhoodaan movement .Because of this, I am aware of the problems faced by the farmers of Punnayurkulam.

 9.Punnayrkulam panchayath spreading through 6 of

the wetlands is the most extensive area of the entire chowghat block.( see Table 1. below) And among these six ,Parur padavu is largest . Kerala development programme 2004-2005 Punnayurkulam village panchayath .(pp 17)2points out that in entire Chowghat block the highest quantity of paddy production is from Punnayurkulam village panchayath and most comes from Parur padavu and Uppungal padavu

Serial no:

Wetland name Mandalam kunnu Edakkara Mukkandathuthaa zham Parur padavu Manchira Andikkot kadavu

Area hectare 625 625 800 875 225 550

Village panchayaths Punnayurkulam,pun nayur Punnayurkulam,pun nayur Punnayurkulam,pun nayur Punnayurkulam,pun nayur,vadakkekad Punnayurkulam,vada kkekad Punnayur,vadakkeka d

Vylathoor
Palakuzhi thozhiyur

575
650

Vadakkekad,pookot
Vadakkekad,pookod e,Guruvayur municipality Punnayur,chowghat municipality

Kadappuram

750

Boundaries:
North Perumpadappu panchayath
South Vadakkekad , Punnayur panchayaths East Kaattakambal panchayath

West Arabian sea.

 In development report of Punnayurkulam (6.01.2001)3

Fathima Leenus ,president of village Panjayath, say to have total development the plan should be based on long term protection of wetlands,soil ,water and ecology and different varieties of plant and animal life.The report of the Block level analysis of the wetlands is given and also community development based on agriculture,pure drinking water,womens status,and development of scheduled castes.( Only 2-3 % is scheduled castes in the area.the majority are labourers and poor people .More than half of them are below poverty line.) The area under study is wetlands . A wetland is an area where water flows down through all types of channels with fields, lowlying areas, and sloping regions like hillsides etc.From the hilltop to the end of the waterflow is called a wetland .It is a biological unit of water,soil and organic matter which is the basis of all development programmes.

According to area the wetlands are divided into 5 types.

Largest - above 50000 hectares
Largebetween 10000-50000 hectares Intermediate - between 1000-10000 hectares

Small between 100-1000 hectares

Very smallbetween 1-100 hectares.

 The masterplan of village is based on small wetlands

which are extending over several panchayaths.Unification of the different panchayaths is done at block level. Punnayurkulam has 6 wetlands (Table 1 Bold letters).The area of study is the 4th ,Parur padavu wetlands.It extends over the entire 5th and 9th wards of Punnayurkulam panchayath, 3/4th of wards 4 and 6,1/2 of wards 10,11,15,and 8,and parts of 4th ward of Punnayur panchayath and 3/4th of second ward and a small part of 1st ward of Vadakkekad panchayath.

Boundaries:
West Althara pananthra road
North Perumpadappu (Malappuram) East Manchira canal

South vadakkekad.

 Height from sea level 10 to 15 meter ..The area is at and

below sealevel.Kol puncha fields are below sea level.The water accumulates during rains.And in other times water flows into sea and is lost easily.Highly fertile.Uppungal canal, an important water source is 1500 meter.Several perennial and dry waterbodies are there.There is shortage of water for drinking and irrigation though it is wetland.Three types of soil Ekkel,sandy clay and clayey sand occur.In the kol padavu sand with lot of clay is seen.Main crop coconut in 747.51 hectares.Next is rice. (266.26 hectares in Parur padavu,Uppungal and Uppungal north padavu) Mainly puncha ,with mundakan is cultivated. Plantains and occasionally tapioca as intermediate crop.

 Table 2.CHANGE IN POPULATION PATTERN

SEEN IN REPORT OF DEVELOPMENT OF VILLAGE PANCHAYATH , PUNNAYURKULAM. 2001(1991 census) 4 to 2009 comparison

Total population

29795 to 31818

2023 more

Male

13965 to 14650

685 more

Female

15830 to 17168

2338 more

Scheduled caste

3146 to 3199

53 more

Male

Not mentioned to 1585

NA

Female

Not mentioned to 1614

NA

Number of houses

4693 to 4963

270 more

Scheduled tribes

Nil

Table 3 CROP DETAILS

Main crops
Paddy 488 ha , Productivity(Kg /ha) 5.59 % under

irrigation 70 % and Coconut 802 ha, 68 lakhs No: , 60 % under irrigation

Table 4 Agricultural infrastructure

A.Tractor 2 numbers B.Tiller 3 numbers C .Hand sprayer 30 numbers D Knapsack sprayer 35 numbers E.Pumpset electrical. 1450 numbers F.Pumpset (kerosene/diesel engine) 35 numbers. G.Petty and Para 9 numbers H.Biogas unit 8 numbers I.Green home 5 numbers J.Combined harvester 1 (owned by village panchayath)

Table 5 Land area classification

A.Geographical area 1871 Ha
B.Forest area

Nil C.Barren land Nil D.Cultivated area 1346 Ha E.Cultivable waste 26 Ha F.Fallow land 98 Ha G.Total irrigated area 918 Ha

Table 6 Paddy cultivation (1 Ha =2.5 ) Parur padavu(puncha) 280ha, 160ha under cultivation,

120ha not cultivated Uppungal padavu(puncha) 72.5ha, 72.5 under cultivation Cherayi koottukrishi samithy(mundakan) 44.ha , 30 under cultivation, 14 not under cultivation Bhattathiripaad paadasekharam(Mundakan) 52ha, 8 ha under cultivation, Eachi paadasekharam(Mundakan) 40ha, 16under cultivation, Total 488.5 ha, 286.5 under cultivation, 208 not under cultivation Total available for cultivation&development Puncha 120 Mundakan 88

 The kol Puncha fields of old Trichur, Palghat

(NowTrichur-Malappuram) generally, and specifically area extending from Ponnani beach to Vettikkadavu in Kunnamkulam, is largest pure water lake for rice cultivation. Mentioned in Sangham literature and Logans Malabar Manual 9 as Veliyam kaayal, improved during first three five year plan periods through Co-operative movements, Sarvodaya and Bhoodan land reforms, the sample area represents oldest available history of co-operative farming systems in agrarian Indian society.

 The southern Kuttanad region has been studied in detail, while the

Malabar Kudanad portion of wetlands and its possibilities are not yet explored, studied and utilized by the state.In ancient Sangham literature, the southern wetlands belongs to Kuttam (kuttanad) and the Malabar wetlands belong to Kudam (Kudanad) and Chera kings were the protectors. The Kol Puncha of Kudam extends from Chalakkudi river to Bharathapuzha was precious and wars were fought to get the title of the Lord of this area by kings and rulers. The old rulers were called Kolathiri (the rulers of the Kol land or Kolians or agrarian overlords) while their Nair chieftains were Samudri ( controlling trade and commerce through sea route) and later on when Chera kingdom broke up, wars of supremacy started between these two and destroyed the agrarian economy based on cooperation of agriculture and industry.

 In Nehruvian era, co-operative movement and land

reforms , social and community reconstruction programmes through strong leadership of the local farmers regained old impetus. Mechanisation in farming was introduced.The first Five year plan (1951_56),conceived at a time of unprecedented institutional instability and implemented against the critical transition years of 1945-51 brought out success and a stable economy through favourable sustained growth of food production.1953-56 had good monsoons and how much this constituted to the foodgrain production is not certain.The second and third plans spent more on agriculture .

of output with gradual decline for agriculture and industry

Rate of growth of output 1950-65(first three plan periods) 1965-72

Agriculture

5.16

1.70

Industry

7.70

3.82

National products

3.60

2.32

 Discussion of Budget (29.June 1960.Kerala legislative

assembly proceedings pp 66-670),Sri K.G.Karunakaramenon Calling attention under Rule 66(pp 2692-93 Kerala legislative assembly July 1960) speech on 23rd March 1962 in Kerala legislative assembly proceedings

Solutions
Shortterm: 1.For Indian conditions ,high cost projects are not suitable.Devise low

cost methods.Devise methods for high moisture content and standing waters .Dry land needs irrigation facilities .Wetlands does not.Do not try to impose monoculture on high fertile biodiversity areas 2.How to reduce labour costs? Do yourself.Or as co-operative farming by whole village .For this , one has to conduct awareness classes and convince all ,including labourers,and people who do not cultivate their land however small it may be,and also people who are doing nonecological exploitation of land including construction works. 3.Use simple technologies wherever possible for maximum yield.Use locally available fuel,nonconventional energy sources,and lowcost technology,and regional seeds suitable for geographical area 4 Improve rice processing as cottage industry

 5. To reduce weeds growing in between rice saplings

during the monsoons there is a simple method of spreading dry hay or paddy straw between them.That will act as a effective weed suppressant.Some people also spread jatroffa leaves but take care that only leaves and not the stems are spread because jatropha stems easily grow roots in the soil.This is a easy and cost effective system for preventing weeds so that the cost of removal of weeds can be minimized.

 6.Systematic rice intensification (SRI)system can be

resorted to.This is supposed to use least water (hence suited for areas with dry climates)and releases little methane .(Any type of natural cultivation release less methane ).

 7.Apart from cash crops plant all vegetables needed for

village in each house in kitchen gardens.Encourage children in schools to do it .This will build up a new generation of citizens who know the value of food production and love nature . 8.Rain water harvesting at individual home levels. 9. Timely harvesting and sowing

 10. postharvest treatment like vapour heating

11. sharing products with neighbours,in local markets

should be encouraged .sending abroad in poor preservation conditions will make high levels of loss . 12 Promote Horticulture projects . This is having a major boom in business.Encourage farmers to grow on a buy-back agreement of barter ,vegetables and fruits suited to their regions with neighbours who do not have that condition.(esp fruits,veg,grains etc).This will give a permanent market for all produce for all people

Long Term(Governmental)
Packaging and transport
Storage of grains for village use in conditions of

emergency /famines.Cattle/fish /growth and use of it as organic recycling of energy process in food cycle to be encouraged .That will reduce the energy pollution and also cost of manure

Water resources
1.Make the canals and tanks more deep and keep them

protected with boundary walls. (tanks,canals,wells,rivers deepening, maintainance, protection .) Rain water harvesting Irrigations with canals , bunds (Government help) preservation of natural surface and ground water. No chemical use.

 Goraksha:- protection of cattle and their health .Healthy environment and food ,grazing , grass and hay and food for them . Have music for more flow of milk as well as for growth of animals and plants. Healthy cattle more productivity. More milk.This is urgent step. Crossbreeding in village itself by a strong high variety bull(a proven high quality bull)

ANIMAL PROTECTION

or by semen banks.(at state/regional level)Train manpower for veterinary services.Cross breed development by DNA markers is available in the present world. Develop the feed and feed quality standards for cattle consistent with the breed and the yield. We can upgrade the crop residue and biodegradable waste for use as cattle feed.Development of high yield fodder seeds .Hygienic sheds for cattle reduce risks of diseases and cost of treatment.

High quality of milk processing to be practiced.Train farmers for hygienic ways of collecting milk. Use biogas as power supply for homes and for industries including uninterrupted power for milk products /processing Treat cattle with care.They are fundamental to our agrarian economy and love them and talk to them and sing to them as you work .That will keep them happy and healthy and give you more. Make a pollutionfree environment both for man and cattle.

FISH
1.The tanks and canals to be made more deep.
2.Do fishfarming 3.Give encouragement to do fishfarming

4.The centers for growing fish and for marketing fish

to be established 5.Protection of fish and ecology for that

FORESTS
Plant fruit trees in every village useful in famine

/drought and also will keep nutritional status of all children in village and reduce incidence of anaemia and leukemia in villages and reduce cost of treatment and hospital stay as well.Since the area has no forests , deforestation is not a problem. But, planting lot of fruit trees to make a Fruit tree forest is urgent.

ENERGY
To reduce energy requirements :-Use biogas and

biological manure . For this protect domestic animals (cows etc). Smokeless ovens, Water energy (Hydro)

 EXTERNAL INFLUENCES ON WETLANDS

There is no transportation facilities. No factories or other industrial institutions

Disposal of wastes

Solution 1 Use co-operative measures of group farming by entire village . Procuring seeds ,seed selection ,packaging,transportation charges to be reduced

 Long term programme as a multiprong programme

.The transport infrastructure Financial assistance to co-operative and private institutions to develop infrastructure .CA/MA(controlled modified atmosphere) for storage and transport facilities. Processing of fruits/veg at farm level to reduce waste by educating farmers and giving financial assistance.

 Sri K.G.Karunakaramenons project of :

Hundred feet canal deepened Pumping water from freshwater lake to kuttatan

paaadam and storing it there Then connect Ponnani and Chowghat by canal irrigation and use water of freshwater lake both for Kol puncha irrigation and for power generation and water supply to Guruvayur township.

 ICRISAT (International crops research institute for the semi-Arid

Tropics )is trying to develop crops that grow in warm and dry climates to find a solution for an expected future global warming converting the entire earth into dry arid lands.They work on millets,sorghum,chickpea and pigeonpea and groundnut .Millets and sorghum has high salinity tolerance. For rice growing law lands it is better to improve rice growing.Do not try to convert to millets and desert seeds fearing a catastrophy that might occur or not .The grains suitable for India (its different regions)have been described by various texts right from Veda and has been tested through several millennia and by Indus valley period a agrarian ecology and sharing had been in practice(or even before that)and this had continued till British times as Logan certify in Malabar.This continuous system is our strength.E ach individual in the village and each association or group in the village can contribute their share of service and helping hand as a co-operative effort .This is what a panchayath is for

 It has to be for the welfare of all in the village and for the welfare

of the neighbouring village and as a venn diagram the welfare should extend to entire nation and the globe.That is the concept of my health village scheme.It works on co-operation,love and common welfare and is free from all differences on caste,creed,community,race ,gender ,religion etc.It is based on Indian geographical features,Indian climate and its observation and experimentation over millennia by our ancestors and how they saw it and solved it and how the present generartion see and solve it so that the posterity (next generations)will see the land as green and as full of fresh water and food and enjoy it and make use of it for propagation of a healthy happy race. Looking through the window of Punnayurkulam and its agricultural economy and ecology We can view the national /global problems.

 Dr Atlekar called villages as the axles of the administration from

ancient times.(S.S.Atlekar .Praacheen Bhaaratheeya shashan padhathi pp168).16Village communities grew out of the earliest tribes of India ,who expressed the natural and geographical conditions of the country ,not from any outside source .The organized functioning on which the culture grew out of village panchayaths(H.D.Malaviya .Village panchayaths in India 1956.pp77-78)17.Let my Village Punnayurkulam take lead to restore the lost glory of being the Axle of Administration of Vannery Perumpadapp Kochi Swaroopa and Kulasekharas, who fed 18 Akshowhinis of Kurupandavas free of cost for 18 days in Mahabharatha war . Self sufficiency in food, and forest goods for export was the trade secret of Kerala and the area under discussion had played a pivotal role in bringing about that Selfsufficient sociopolitical economy of Mahabali (The Mooshaka lineage of Mahishmathi ) .

References :

1 http://www.scribd.com/doc/98073493/Agricultural-History-of-India-Research-Project-in-Kerala 2 Kerala development programme 2004-2005 Punnayurkulam village panchayath .(pp 17) 3 development report of Punnayurkulam (6.01.2001) 4 2001(1991 census) 5 Records of Punnayurkulam Panchayath office 6 Records of Krishibhavan Punnayurkulam 7 Records of kol co-operative society Parur Padavu 8 Records of Village office Punnayurkulam and their references 9 Logans Malabar Manual 10 General discussion of Budget (29.June 1960.Kerala legislative assembly proceedings pp 66-670),Sri K.G.Karunakaramenon 11 Calling attention under Rule 66(pp 2692-93 Kerala legislative assembly July 1960) 12 23rd March 1962 in Kerala legislative assembly proceedings 13 A.P.J Abdul Kalam (Visions for India pp 74-80 ) 14 2009.August 31.Mathrubhoomi Daily 15 Drinking water facility in Indian villages pp 192 India infrastructure report 2002 16 S.S.Atlekar .Praacheen Bhaaratheeya shashan padhathi pp168 17 H.D.Malaviya .Village panchayaths in India 1956.pp77-78