Collective farming for food security
Erratic rainfall, Input cost and promotion of mono crops affected the life of farmers in Wayanad. Covid crisis and lockdown had further worsened the situation. Overuse of pesticides and chemical fertilisers damaged the soil and environment.
During the lockdown period, Sakhi Farmers group from Madakkunnu cultivated Chinese potato (Koorkkal) collectively and sold 25 Kg to the market for Rs 38. It was a good price for the group and they motivated fellow women groups to do more farming collectively. Sakhi Farmers Group from Madakkunnu, Kurumbalakkotta and Cherukanakkunnu decided to cultivate collectively different types of organic vegetables.
Twenty two women from 3 groups joined together and converted 2.5 acres barren land for vegetable farming. SSP provided 2800 organic vegetable seedlings as part of Green Acton Week, supported by CUTS International. To increase the seedlings, women groups contributed Rs 5000 and brought another batch of 2300 seedlings of green chilli, cucumber, carrot, brinjal, and tomato.
These activities were carried out with an objective of selling the organic vegetables to the market in February 2021. They are expecting a produce of 2,000 kg for the market. To market the produce, a mutual agreement has been reached with Society for Education and Integral Development (SEID) farm Producer Company based at Ambalavayal.
“This is a great relief for us. We don’t have to look for selling this produce since we reached a common agreement with the producer company”, says Valsamma Stephen.