Palakkad: On a 40-cent rocky land at Pazhambalacode here, long beans and okra are growing fast in 1,000 plastic sacks filled with soil. All of them are the result of hard work and determination by Vellakutty, a farmer hailing from Krishnankovil Pavadi in Pazhambalacode.
Vellakutty purchased the cement sacks from merchants in Puthunagaram. He also bought 150 kilograms of lime, 40 sacks of cow dung powder, 20 kilograms of neem cake and 50 kilograms of coconut husk. Then all the ingredients were mixed thoroughly with soil and filled in the empty sacks with the help of 45 people.
All the sacks were arranged on the rocky land. A total of Rs 20,000 was spent for the arrangements, Vellakutty said. Profit can be earned for two months. He expects an income of Rs 60,000. He carries water from a borewell which is 300 metres away from the farm. After harvesting, the sacks will be used for planting brinjal and green chilli.
Tharoor agriculture officer Julie George, field assistants Sangeetha, Rajitha and Bindu visited the farm on top of the rocks and gave guidelines for cultivation. Vellakutty's wife Saradamani and daughters Jayashree and Vijayashree also help him. He also cultivates paddy, rubber and vegetables in a 7-acre land.
