KVK demonstrates mechanised transplantation of paddy
The Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Ernakulam, of the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), demonstrated mechanised paddy transplantation in a five-acre paddy field at Kurichilakkod Ekkuzhy near Kodanad on Thursday.
The programme, held with the support of Kodanad Padasekhara Samiti, was inaugurated by Saju Paul MLA at a function presided over by Koovappady panchayat president P Y Paulose.
District panchayat standing committee chairman (Development) Babu Joseph was the guest of honour.
Shinoj Subramanian, programme co-ordinator, senior scientist of the KVK, detailed the importance of paddy mechanisation and similar technology demonstration programmes of the KVK.
Mat nursery of 19 days, prepared using paddy variety Uma in thin plastic sheets, was used for the mechanised translating. Pushparaj Anjelo, KVK specialist, had trained the farmers on mat nursery preparation in an earlier occasion.
Using rice transplanter, the seedlings were planted at equal distances. Since a uniform distance is maintained using the machine, further operations like weeding and harvesting can also be done using machines. The transplanter used 2.5-3 litres of diesel for covering one acre in an hour. If members of the Padasekhara Samiti continue group farming, the KVK would give further technical and financial support for machine weeding and harvesting using combine harvester, Shinoj said.