Challenges to Pokkali Farming

Pokkali cultivation continues to face a plethora of challenges. Palliyakkal Service Cooperative Bank has been working tirelessly to address these issues. Some of the challenges Pokkali farming continues to face are:

Loss of Pokkali Lands:

Due to a variety of reasons there has been a drastic decline in paddy cultivation throughout Kerala. According to State Planning Board data, the state lost over 500,000 hectares of land under paddy cultivation between 1980 and 2007 to various other sectors. As of 2010- 11, there were only 213,000 hectares under paddy cultivation. The case is not different in Pokkali lands. From more than 25,000 hectares of Pokkali fields two decades ago, only about 5000 hectares remain and actual cultivation takes place in less than 1000 hectares. Shortage of labor, usage of land for development purposes, general apathy towards agriculture, and conversion of Pokkali farms to monoculture have contributed to significant reduction in land.

Lack of sustainable agricultural practises:

Due to the higher returns on monoculture of prawns many prefer to raise prawns in Pokkali fields. This has proved to be a short term fix, but in the long term it is turning out to be unsustainable due to the condition of soil, water and resultant prawns being impacted. Based on the data collected from 50 rice farming households, the economics of Pokkali farming was calculated. The cost-benefit analysis indicated that short-run economic incentives form the primary reason for this shift to monoculture of prawn (2001. Krishna, V.V. et al). There is conflict of interest between paddy farmers and an aquaculture lobby, and people are more interested in growing only prawn because of higher returns, according to Francis Kalathungal of the Pokkali Samrakshana Samithi.

Impact on soil and land:

Unsustainable farming practices had led to the land becoming more acidic, drinking water sources becoming more brackish, reducing availability of cultivable Pokkali land. Eventually this has led to the fields being left fallow, disrepair of tidal embankment, and the incursion of sea water into freshwater sources.

Unavailability and high cost of Labor:

Pokkali is a labor intensive farming process, 150-200 days of labor for rice cultivation and an additional 350-400 days of labor for prawn farming is needed. Due to the lack of mechanisation and availability of jobs in more economically viable industries in the city, most young people have left the work in agriculture.

Kerala has a large immigrant population that has propelled massive societal changes in the state, along with a very high cost of living. All of this makes the choice of farming Pokkali a tedious task for the farmer. Proportionate increase in prices for farming tools and supplies, labor cost is not reflected in the yield or the prices for the yield. Palliyakkal has been working towards bridging this gap by investing in farming practises, labor supply and remuneration, ensuring better prices for the produce etc.

Industrial Pollution:

Pokkali fields have been impacted severely by the unrestricted industrial pollution along the backwaters. Vembanad lake, Kochi backwaters from the nearby cities and towns have caused considerable harm, especially the oil from the engines of boats that ply on these waterways.

Mega development projects:

Being in an economically viable area, Pokkali fields have been acquired for many large infrastructure projects, Vallarpadam container terminal road, and the railway link are examples of this. These development projects have hindered the flow of tidal waters into the Pokkali fields, and impacted the traditional way of Prawn farming.