
\| Home \| Home Stay \| Facility \| Ayurveda \| Location \| Paddy Fields \| Tariff \| Kumarakom \| \|Neighbourhood Attractions \| About us\| Contact Us \|

INFINITE ARRAYS OF PADDY FIELDS AND CANALS FOR FISHING:
	In and around Cheepunkal we find infinite arrays of paddy fields reclaimed from the lake Vembanad. Fishing and paddy cultivation are the main sources of income to the local people. Farming is the biological process of transformation of solar energy into biomass and involves utilization of the basic resources, land and water. In a study conducted in this area it was observed that the cost of production of rice has increased disproportionate to the value of output. While the cost increased 254 percent during the last 10 years, the output price of paddy increased only by 95%. This mismatch between the input cost and value of output is indicated by the paddy equivalence to the cost of rice cultivation.	The paddy equivalence to cost of cultivation for the base year 1988 was 1983 kg per ha, which increased to 3239 kg per ha in 1998. This indicates that a minimum yield of 32 quintals per ha is necessary to break even paddy cultivation in Kuttanad. An experiment has been conducted in Anthonikkayal in Cheepunkal, Kumarakom, for an integrated farming-fishing system for the past seven years. Eighth year experiment is going on. The following table demonstrates the expenses and income per acre and the profit increase through years. This area has 54 acres of a paddy field owned by 41 families.

Harvest Season	Product	Expense per acre	Income per acre	Profit Rs.
1995-96 Puncha	Paddy 928.5	Rs. 4698.10	Rs. 5256.75	288.65

1995-96 Virippu	Paddy 940.83kg	4641.0	Rs. 5039.37	398.37

1996-97 Puncha	Fish 139.8 Kg	Rs. 1340	Rs.3921.31	2581.31

1996-97 Virippu	Paddy 1425Kg	Rs.4370.05	Rs.7856.25	3486.25

1997-98 Puncha	Fish 268.94Kg	Rs.4561.37	Rs.7945.50	3384.13

1997-98 Virippu	Paddy 1642Kg	Rs.4711.66	Rs. 10052.00	5340.34

1998-99 Puncha	Fish 657.41 Kg Kg	Rs.8672.90	Rs. 16116.66	7448.76

1998-99 Virappu	Paddy 1670.56 Kg Kg	Rs.3425.00	Rs. 1059.00	7166.00

1999-2000 Puncha	Fish 506.13 Kg Kg	Rs.8798.05	Rs.14105.58	5307.53

1999-2000 Virappu	Paddy 1595.35 Kg Kg	Rs.4785.25	Rs. 10220.94	6035.69

2000-01 Puncha	Fish 326.37 Kg Kg	Rs.5928.74	Rs.9087.93	3259.19.00

2000-01 Virappu	Paddy 1623.47 Kg Kg	Rs.3855.45	Rs. 10832.55	6977.10

2001-02 Puncha	Fish 422.15 Kg	Rs.6158,75	Rs.12628.85	6470.10

1998-99 Virappu	Paddy 1670.56 Kg Kg	Rs.3425.00	Rs. 1059.00	7166.00

2001-02 Virippu	Paddy 1965.00 Kg Kg	Rs.6875.25	Rs. 14737.50	7862.25

2002-03 Puncha	Fish 460.18 Kg Kg	Rs.6555.25	Rs.12950.75	6395.50

2002-03 Virappu	Paddy Kg	Rs.	Rs.	Undergoes

Utilization of puncha lowlands for rice-fish integration is a recent development in this area. The pioneering studies on these lines have set the pace for this change. Under the rotational or sequential system of farming, fish and prawns are cultivated in rice fields after the annual rice crop. The residues from fish culture make the soil richer for rice and the residues of rice such as straw and detritus supplements become food for the fish. Fish production under this system of farming varies from 1000 to 2500 kg per ha, with little additional expenditure on feeding or manuring. Indian major carps, common carps, the Chinese carps, and grass carps have been demonstrated to be suitable for culture in such rice fields.

The Kuttanadan Konchu, the endemic prawn species is most adapted for cultivation in the kayal farms. The growth of livestock, fish and poultry with rice is a recognized strategy to increase overall production in many Asian countries. Rearing of fish in the rice fields is known to improve soil conditions leading to increase in rice yield. Rice-fish rotation is considered effective in suppressing weeds, pests and diseases.

Kuttanad is a rural marshy delta region in southern Kerala consisting of 54 revenue villages spread over eleven taluks in the districts of Alappuzha, Kottayam and Pathanamthitta with an area of 1157 sq. km. Kuttanad region extends from 9o 17'N to 9o 40'N and 76o 19'E to 76o 33'E. It is separated from the Arabian Sea by a narrow strip of land. Kuttanad is a deltaic formation of four river systems namely, Pamba, Manimala, Achankovil and Meenachil, together with the low lying areas in and around Vembanad lake. Most of the vast expanse in this region is lying below sea level; water logged almost throughout the year, subject to continued flood submergence during the monsoon season and saline water ingression during the summer months. It comprises of 66,048 hectares of wetlands, 31,086 hectares of garden dry lands and 18,632 hectares of water wastes like lake and backwaters. Among the wetlands 53,639 hectares are identified as puncha lands. Kuttanad lies between NH47 road and M.C. Road starting at Kayamkulam in the south-west and Thiruvalla in the south-east and ending at Ettumanoor in the north-east and Cherthala in the north-west.