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Pokkali paddy saw a good harvest this year

Highlights

• It is a unique saline tolerant rice variety that is cultivated using extensive aquaculture in an organic way in the water-logged coastal regions, spread in about 5000 hectares area in Alappuzha, Thrissur and Ernakulam districts of Kerala in Southern India.
• The brand Pokkali has received a GI tag from the Geographical Indications Registry Office, Chennai.
• It is an ancient farming practice where one season of rice farming is alternated with another season of fish culture
• Rice farming and fish farming are mutually complementary.
• The person has to stand in waist-deep water to harvest the mature paddy stalk
• The cycle is from April 15 to November 15 with shrimp and fish farmers occupying the fields in the remaining period.