Palakkad (Kerala): Though the cultivation of corn is extremely rare in Kerala, with the belief that the soil and climate in the state are unfavourable for the crop, a farmer from Palakkad district has proven people wrong.
Abbas, a farmer from Chathanur in Pattambi, decided to take up the cultivation of corn on an experimental basis. The idea dawned upon him after he noticed numerous corn fields on a visit to neighbouring Tamil Nadu.
He then brought in quality corn seeds from Tamil Nadu and sowed them in seven cents (one cent is roughly equal to 436 sq ft) of land area.
However, what makes Abbas' venture even better is the fact that he adopted an organic style of farming, using no form of chemical fertilisers on his field.
"The popular belief is that there is no corn cultivation in the state. But we can raise a handsome crop with proper care. Some of the plants have borne more than two corn cobs. I have not used any chemical fertiliser or pesticide on the crop," Abbas said.
Abbas used only cow dung manure as fertiliser for his crop, wherein 1400 plants were grown in an area of seven cents.
Usually, corn needs a cycle of 75 days to be mature for harvest. In Abbas' farm, however, the corn took only just 65 days and is ready for harvest.
Though corn is easily available in the markets and streets of Kerala, it comes from other states as it is not one of the homegrown crops.
Now that Abbas has tasted success in the organic cultivation of corn, which he only undertook on an experimental basis, he is all set to expand his corn farming to more land area.
Read: This Uttarakhand farmer produces organic mangoes, sets an example!
