The pokkali fields and vegetable orchards in Ezhikkara are ringing in abundance thanks to the efforts by the Palliakkal Service Cooperative Bank to make the village self-sufficient in dairy, poultry and vegetable production.
As the organic farming movement takes root across the State, the Palliakkal Cooperative Bank’s initiatives have hogged the limelight and earned it a reputation of an institution that stands by the farmers.
The bank’s presence can be felt in at least half the number of homes in the village, says bank secretary M. P. Vijayan, who pointed out that it had extended loans to farmers for various activities such as dairying, poultry farming, fish culture and paddy cultivation.
He said the initiatives taken by the bank had resulted in 45 acres being brought under vegetable and banana cultivation ahead of the Vishu festivities. “Our aim is to create a self-reliant community,” he said.
Around 80 tonnes of vegetables were produced ahead of the last Onam festivities. It is expected that around 60 tonnes of vegetables would be produced by the farmers under the bank’s aegis for the Vishu festivities.
The opening of ‘Jaiva Kalavara,’ a permanent outlet for organic produce at Edappally, has provided a big marketing channel for the Palliakkal farmers, who get farming loans at 4 per cent interest. If the repayment is done without default, the interest is waived, said Mr. Vijayan, reiterating the bank’s commitment to encouraging farming.
The bank also extends low-interest loans for dairying and poultry farming activities as well as fish culture. Paddy cultivators are given loans without any interest.
The poultry farming efforts have borne fruit with around 2,000 eggs being collected from the farmers on a daily basis to be sold through the bank’s outlets, said Mr. Vijayan.
The rise in egg production is the result of the bank taking an initiative to distribute 25 layer birds each to 160 farmers.
There are also 25 self-help groups engaged in various activities, ranging from pokkali rice cultivation to aquaculture.
Around 1,000 farmers are directly involved in various activities, Mr. Vijayan added.

Source : The Hindu