With the father of the Green Revolution, M.S. Swaminathan, now honoured with India’s highest civilian award, Bharat Ratna, the unique backdrop of Kuttanad, acting as the stage for many of the late agricultural scientist’s initiatives, rightfully shares in the recognition.
Born into a family from Mankombu in Kuttanad, it was his love for the place, where paddy is cultivated at 1 to 2 metres below sea level, and concerns over its depleting ecosystem encouraged M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) led by Dr. Swaminathan to come up with a study report ‘Measures to Mitigate Agrarian Distress in Alappuzha and Kuttanad Wetland Ecosystem,’ in 2007.
Based on the recommendations of the agricultural scientist, the government announced the ₹1,840 crore Kuttanad Package. More than 15 years after, unfortunately, a good number of “prudent suggestions made by the visionary” remain on paper due to poor implementation and a lack of government oversight.
