economics of on-farm development - Institute for Social and ...

The conversion <strong>of</strong> paddy fields for agricultural and non-agricultural uses has
been widely debated in the state. A comprehensive study by Jeemol Unni (1983)
examines the cropping pattern changes and brings out evidences <strong>of</strong> replacement <strong>of</strong>
paddy by coconut in the districts <strong>of</strong> Kerala. On the technical possibilities <strong>of</strong>
converting paddy lands into coconut gardens. the paper explains two indigenous
means <strong>of</strong> dealing with this problem. In the fist instance. coconut saplings are planted
on the bunds <strong>of</strong> paddy fields. which also strengthens the bunds. Gradually. these
bunds are widened and another row <strong>of</strong> coconut saplings is planted and this goes on
till the whole field is converted into a coconut garden. By the second method, the
land is raised in mounds within paddy fields at regular intervals in between and
saplings are planted. As these plants grow. more such mounds are raised and the
\\ho\C plot is converted into a c"conut garden. Yet another process <strong>of</strong> conversion is
step-by-step. by which banana. tapioca (cassava) and ginger are planted on
horizontal or circular mounds raised in the paddy fields with coconut or arecanut
saplings planted in between. The cultivation <strong>of</strong> the annuall seasonal crops is
continued until the coconut or arecanut plants grow. This process appears to be more
scientific as the crop residue provides mulching effect and there is no need <strong>of</strong>
speci fie crop-husbandry measures for the main crops.
Kannan and Puhpangadan (1988) examined taluk-wise trends in paddy area
for the period 1975-76 to 1985-86 The 56 taluks have been classified in terms <strong>of</strong>
\'ater logging. The proportion <strong>of</strong> area kept as fallow and fallow other than current fallow
(p"t together) has increased from I 69 per cent In 1965-66 to 2.17 per cent in 1996-')7.
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