When overgrown vacant plots in their neighbourhood turned into dumping yards, members of Kadayilmudumbu Residents’ Welfare Association (KRWA) in Thiruvananthapuram found a solution — farming. The Association, which falls under Koduganoor ward, has eventually been chosen as the best residents’ association involved in farming activities at the Kerala State Farm Awards-2023. The Association grows a variety of crops on nearly two acres spread across seven plots.
This is in addition to homestead cultivation undertaken by families. Farming activities undertaken by Kadayilmudumbu Residents' Welfare Association in Thiruvananthapuram| Photo Credit:SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT “It is the result of the collective effort of our residents. Even though most of us are employed, we devote time to cultivate various crops,” says Swapna Raj RV, president of KRWA.
Swapna, a staff at the insurance section of Government Medical College, adds, “At a time when people are moving away from agriculture we decided to encourage it.” The plots were left unattended for years because the owners are either living abroad or in other parts of the city. “The Association does not own any plot.
But when people started dumping waste on those vacant plots, we got in touch with the owners to know if we could take up those on lease to start farming and they agreed. Now we grow plantain, tapioca, golden cucumber, salad cucumber, different varieties of amaranthus, vegetables and other crops,” says Sijukumar PN.