KADAKKAD SUGARCANE SEED FARM

                                     KADAKKAD SUGARCANE SEED FARM

  The 10.96 hectare sugarcane seed Farm of the Agriculture Department at Kadakkad near Pandalam tells us the story of integrated and sustainable agriculture.
  It all  started on experimental basis. The dairy farm was set up to produce organic manure. The diary was further expanded to produce power from bio-gas to meet the daily needs of the farm and the office building says J. Sajeev, Agriculture officer at farm. The farm had bagged the Harta Keerthi Award of the state government in 2010.
   The farm is famed for its organic cultivation of vegetables and plantations.It also houses a coconut seed far, sugarcane farm and a modern dairy unit, says Mr. Sajeev, serving the farm for seven years now. This is perhaps the only farm in the government sector to house a modern dairy unit attached to a sugarcane farm,he says. The power required for the farm and its office is generated at the bio-gas plant attached to the dairy unit. The dairy houses a total of 30 improved variety cattle,including two Vechoor cows.

  The organic jaggery balls produced at the farm is a big hit in the local market. The jiggery balls are also available at the agro industries corporation in Thiruvananthapuram and Kottarakara. There is a proposal to elevate the farm to the status of an integrated farming demonstration center.

                                                                                           Prof. John Kurakar