A residents’ association in Thiruvananthapuram converts vacant plots to agricultural land to win State Farm Awards 2023

Kadayilmudumbu Residents’ Welfare Association in Thiruvananthapuram transforms vacant plots into thriving farms winning Kerala State Farm Awards-2023.

When overgrown vacant plots in their neighbourhood turned into dumping yards, members of Kadayilmudumbu Residents’ Welfare Association (KRWA) in Thiruvananthapuram found a solution — farming. The Association, which falls under Koduganoor ward, has eventually been chosen as the best residents’ association involved in farming activities at the Kerala State Farm Awards-2023.

The Association grows a variety of crops on nearly two acres spread across seven plots. This is in addition to homestead cultivation undertaken by families.

“It is the result of the collective effort of our residents. Even though most of us are employed, we devote time to cultivate various crops,” says Swapna Raj RV, president of KRWA. Swapna, a staff at the insurance section of Government Medical College, adds, “At a time when people are moving away from agriculture we decided to encourage it.”

The plots were left unattended for years because the owners are either living abroad or in other parts of the city. “The Association does not own any plot. But when people started dumping waste on those vacant plots, we got in touch with the owners to know if we could take up those on lease to start farming and they agreed. Now we grow plantain, tapioca, golden cucumber, salad cucumber, different varieties of amaranthus, vegetables and other crops,” says Sijukumar PN, secretary of the Association, an award-winning farmer.

Sijukumar, an ex-serviceman, adds, “Others who have bought land in our ward have contacted us to start farming on their plots. If things fall in place, we will be able to start farming in another 1.5 acres.”

The Association, formed in 2003, has 174 families and almost all of them cultivate one crop or the other at their households. “Although our farming activities started in 2022, we expanded it last year. We distributed over one lakh saplings among the residents,” says Sijukumar.

He adds, “We introduced corn cultivation last year. In addition, saplings of all kinds of vegetables and a few pulses were distributed. The harvest was sold among the members and excess produce was given to the eco shop of Vattiyoorkkavu Krishi Bhavan.”