POKKALI

Existing Public Policy protecting Pokkali farms EXCLUSIVELY for Pokkali Paddy Cultivation 14-April to 14-November (7 month Crop Calendar) as has been the case over centuries MUST be maintained and enforced. Encroachment and tresspassing of Pokkali farm lands from non-farming vested interests such as Eco-Tourism and Year-round Aquaculture by entities citing misleading and manufactured reasons for the lack of paddy cultivation must be prohibited. Profitable Pokkali Cultivation is successfully being done by farmers from sowing through harvesting, as evidenced by factual data in Ezhikkara, Varappuzha, Kadamakkudy and Alappuzha without any of the issues cited by the Tourism and Aquaculture lobbies. These farmers need to be supported and their farming model needs to be promoted and replicated across all fallow farms.

It must be noted and has been proven by practice over centuries and by several research studies, that a 7-month Pokkali Crop Cultivation ENHANCES multi-fold associated 5-month Aquaculture Prawn yields and soil fertility. Existing Policy is a WIN-WIN for Pokkali and Prawn farming and is NOT a zero-sum proposition. Broad based policy change initiatives MUST NOT attempt to fix what is not broken.

Tourism initiatives such as kayaking, motor boating, resorts etc should be moved off of Pokkali Farms to inland waters or adjoining rivers. Opportunitiies for traditional "Vanchi" boat rides amidst lush green Pokkali farms already exists and has been practiced by farmers over centuries to transport harvested crop. This can be offered as a truly authentic water navigation experience for tourists without need for any policy changes.

Keep Policies

1. 7-month Pokkali + 5 month Prawn Farming Directive and Enforcement
2. PLDA Chairman and District Collectors Directive of April-14 farm draining and the 14-Apr to 14-Nov Crop Calendar should be enforced.

Modify Policies

Prawn Farming License to be issued ONLY IF Pokkali Harvesting (not existing misused Nirathhal in 45 days) is confirmed by Agriculture Officer with photographic evidence in atleast 70% of farm area of farm owner within a Padasekharam.

Remove Policies

1. 3-year fallow farm requirement for MGNRE Labor allocation. Make MGNRE labor available atleast for 2 crop cycles in a row
2. Issuance of Crop Loss Remuneration at the 45 day Nirathhal photo submission.

Add Policies

1. Prioritize Crop Harvesting Success financial incentives and remunerations with 80% of financial incentive tied to successful harvest.
2. Minimum of 70% of farm area of a farm owner within a Padasekharam must be cultivated with photographic evidence of harvesting for issuance of a Prawn Farming License.
3. Dedicate 30% of MGNRE labor days EXCLUSIVELY for Pokkali Farming - Apr/May (Ploughing), June/July (Sowing/Nirathhal) and Oct/Nov (Harvesting). There is shortage of land to meet existing 100days work for willing laborers. Extending this by 50 days enables work for labor force and revitalizes Fallow Farms. If existing 100 days needs to be maintained then astleast 30% days must be allocated for Pokkali Farming with rest for vegetable and other farming inland.
4. Local Self Goverment Panchayath President and Krishi Bhavan Agriculture Officer to lease farms for Pokkali Cultivation if owner is not interested in farming with requisite authority as provided by existing legal statues.
5. Government to promote and incentivise Online Marketplace for Pokkali Seeds/Rice Buy/Sell to directly aid farmers. Promote Seed and Rice procurement channels with successful models of this deployed in Alappuzha District by Agriculture Minister.
6. Goverment to fast track NPOP Organic Farming Certification for all active individual Pokkali farmers. Only one Pokkali farmer in all of Alappuzha, Ernakulam and Thrissur has achieved this certification. For a thriving market for specialty rice this needs to extend to all genuine Pokkali farmers.
7. No Eco-Tourism or other land use initiatives and policies that impedes or irrevocably harms or takes away Pokkali Farms and Cultivation. Department of Tourism to promote several existing centuries old symbiotic authentic tourism opportunities within a Pokkali farm that will attract tourists without harming the farm or the Pokkali cultivation process.