Reimagining the cultural landscape of Oryza Sativa L. (Pokkali Rice)

Abstract

Kerala has been experiencing recurring floods for the past three years. While other sections of the society recover from the floods gradually, the people who area most affected by the floods are farmers who not only lose their homes but also their source of livelihood, agriculture. It is essential hence to delve deep into the forgotten past of agriculture and look for self sustained methods of farming wherein the farmers can survive the aggression of the nature. Pokkali farming, a farming method that originated almost 3000 years ago is a flood resilient, saline resistant variety of rice grown in the Central coastal tract of Kerala mainly in three districts, Ernakulam, Alappuzha and Kannur. Pokkali farming is also an important part of Kudumbi community’s identity. Their identity is fast being dissolved into the culture and traditions of Kerala. It is important to revive this culture due to their close proximity with the landscape of these region. The farming method is also an independent model that does not need external chemical fertilizers as it is done with shrimp farming. The first six months starting from April, Pokkali farming is done followed by shrimp farming in the next six months. The leftover stalks after harvest of Pokkali serves as food for shrimps and the excreta of the shrimps serve as manure for the Pokkali farming. The site chosen was in Goshree Island, Ernakulam district due to the presence of the highest number of Pokkali fields there and fast deterioration in growing conditions of the Pokkali rice. The study analysed various cultural and natural layers after delineating a site that was most apt for Pokkali cultivation based on preliminary overlay of Physiological layers of the bigger watershed of Ernakulam district. Due to dependence of this farming method on manual labor (due to the growth of the Pokkali in water) and insufficient profit for the farmers, this farming method is fast getting forgotten. There are many other reasons for this downfall from breaching of the Pokkali farms, conversion of the Pokkali farms for shrimp monoculture. Through revival of the cultural landscape of Pokkali rice through Landscape strategies and proposals will help in bringing back its place in the society.