Vellanagalloor (Thrissur): Though M K Unni and K M Ismail are working in agriculture sector, both of them are experienced farmers. M K Unni is assistant agriculture officer at Velookkara panchayat and K M Ismail is facilitator at Karshika Sevana Kendram in Mathilakam block panchayat. They are passionate about cultivating various types of paddy.
The duo cultivate paddy in 5-acre land leased at Kannolichira fields in Vellangalloor panchayat. Last year, they had harvested 4 tonnes of paddy from the same fields. Four types of paddy including black paddy Kakishala, Rakthashali, Kuruva and Uma are grown here. Uma is cultivated in 3 acre and other varieties in the remaining two acres.
Organic pest control methods are applied. However, they used both organic and chemical fertilisers for Uma paddy. Kakishala, which is black inside and outside was grown on trial basis. It will be saved for seeds to be used next year. They are also supporting farmers in vegetable and paddy farming since 2010.
Earlier, Ismail has been working as field assistant under Vellangalloor Krishi Bhavan. Unni has been working in agriculture department for 20 years. Unni had cooperated in Puncha farming and tapioca farming as part of Subhiksha Keralam project. Both of them were also active in procuring blonde cucumber from farmers last year.
