Reference voices featured: K. V. Kanthan, Kottakayal, Manganam, Kottayam; Atto Jokey Ilanjikkal, Puzhuvanveettil, Purathur Angadi; Sarathlal Panappuzha, Cherthala, Alappuzha; D. Sudheendrababu, Teacher, Pangappara.
The label Pathikilla Chamba in the eastern issue brought back past memories associated with this type of farming. These reader voices speak about Chambam farming, large-scale farming going bust, eco-friendly rural knowledge, and questions over agricultural loans.
🌾 From wetlands and lotus plants to advertisements promising to save agriculture, the concerns here come directly from regular readers and farmers watching Kerala agriculture change around them.
A Kerala wetland farming scene reflecting the memories and modernization concerns raised by readers.
There is a place called Chambam where we have been living for 95 years, and it was also an inspiration to do Kumkumi farming. At that time, I was an auto-rickshaw driver and used to transport people from FCI lorries and also Bengalis.
A long-term observation that can be saddening is how to improve Chambam farming. I remember going to catch leeches 60 years ago. At a depth of four feet, there was slush everywhere. Giving Chamban was not enough. I remember that in the beginning, lotus plants had sprouted. Later, Theophara. Now, it is filled with rocks and sand, unsuitable for farming.
✅ Most importantly, the farming methods need to be modernized. Modernization needs to be done. State-of-the-art technologies should be introduced. It is essential to give awareness, both financially and mentally, to our farmers. The government should provide support.
— K. V. Kanthan, Kottakayal, Manganam, Kottayam.
The last issue. Suprabhatham. It was quite saddening. The tragedy of large-scale farming going bust, starting from Mynagapally black pepper, is immense.
It is not that the young people who chat under the mango tree are not having new thoughts about agriculture; there is no reason for it. How much money. The reality faced by the common farmer is not taken seriously.
— Atto Jokey Ilanjikkal, Puzhuvanveettil, Purathur Angadi.
Reader concerns include the gap between new farming thoughts and the reality faced by the common farmer.
Centered on Krishi Bhavans, we need to open up many job opportunities in various ways. With urbanization, our perspectives should not have been corrected. We learn many pieces of eco-friendly knowledge from grandmothers.
When these are passed on to the new generations, even matters of rural life are being ignored. None of them were presented in a practical way. Many methods that the older generation found useful have become unwanted by today’s generation. I possess new knowledge that is not otherwise available. I am a regular reader of Karshakashree.
🦋 The core concern is practical transfer of eco-friendly knowledge, rural-life learning, and job opportunities centered on Krishi Bhavans.
— Sarathlal Panappuzha, Cherthala, Alappuzha.
I noticed the advertisement Kerala Bank to save agriculture. It was an attractive ad that said, Kerala Karshaka Bandhu for expatriates gold loan agricultural loan. Interest only 5 percent. The name is just Kerala Karshaka Bandhu. The interest is high.
The gold loan provided through the Kisan Credit Card, which is being given by the central government, has an interest rate of only 4 percent. This deception is being carried out by hiding that fact.
5 percent
Interest mentioned in the Kerala Karshaka Bandhu advertisement.
4 percent
Interest rate mentioned for the gold loan through Kisan Credit Card.
2,365 crore rupees
Allocation stated for agricultural loans in this year’s Kerala budget.
100 crore rupees
Amount said to be set aside for the upcoming 2024-25 budget year.
⚠️ The biggest scam in this year’s Kerala budget is the allocation of 2,365 crore rupees for agricultural loans. This is for a period of 5 years. This means that for the upcoming 2024-25 budget year, only 100 crore rupees are set aside to be presented. If you ask how this works, it will take more than 23 years to complete a 5-year plan! And still, the government claims it gives unprecedented priority to the agricultural sector!
— D. Sudheendrababu, Teacher, Pangappara.
Modernization
Farming methods need to be modernized and state-of-the-art technologies should be introduced.
Awareness
Farmers need awareness both financially and mentally.
Support
The government should provide support and take the reality faced by the common farmer seriously.
Practical knowledge
Eco-friendly knowledge from grandmothers and older generations should be presented in a practical way.
What is the main concern raised about Chambam farming?
The main concern is that Chambam farming has changed from a slushy, productive landscape into land filled with rocks and sand, making it unsuitable for farming. The reader stresses that farming methods need modernization, state-of-the-art technologies, farmer awareness, and government support.
Why does the article mention young people under the mango tree?
The mango tree reference points to young people discussing agriculture and new thoughts. The concern is not that they lack ideas, but that large-scale farming failures, such as Mynagapally black pepper, and the reality faced by the common farmer are not being taken seriously.
How are Krishi Bhavans connected to rural job opportunities?
One reader suggests that many job opportunities should be opened in various ways centered on Krishi Bhavans. The idea is linked with preserving eco-friendly rural knowledge, presenting older-generation methods practically, and making rural life knowledge useful for new generations.
What eco-friendly knowledge does the article say is being ignored?
The article says many pieces of eco-friendly knowledge learned from grandmothers and older generations are being ignored by today’s generation. The concern is that useful rural practices were not presented in a practical way, so methods once valued have become unwanted.
What is the dispute over Kerala Karshaka Bandhu interest rates?
The reader questions an advertisement claiming Kerala Karshaka Bandhu agricultural gold loan interest at 5 percent. He compares it with the gold loan through the Kisan Credit Card, which he says has an interest rate of only 4 percent, and calls the difference misleading.
What budget figures are questioned in the article?
The article questions the allocation of 2,365 crore rupees for agricultural loans over 5 years. The reader says only 100 crore rupees are set aside for the 2024-25 budget year and argues that, at that pace, it would take more than 23 years to complete a 5-year plan.
