It is the passion for farming that brought them together in 2020.
In the next three years, Thiruvizhesan, a 10-member strong farming collective from Kanjikuzhy block in Alappuzha, transformed over 35 acres of fallow land in three grama panchayats by launching vegetable, fruit, flower, and paddy cultivation; set up an agri-tourism facility; and launched own rice brand. Further to the group’s credit, they recently won the State Agriculture department’s award for the best farming collective (production sector).
“It feels like a fairy tale,” says Jyothish Kanjikuzhi, president, Thiruvizhesan Joint Liability Group, on finding success in the field in a short period and winning the award. The farming collective began their journey on a small scale by cultivating crops on 1.5 acres of land after taking a credit of ₹5 lakh from Cherthala South Service Co-operative Bank Ltd. Today, the group on average produces over 60 tonnes of vegetables and fruits, including seasonal ones, annually.
