Kerala to complete fallow land mapping in a month
The mapping of fallow lands across Kerala will be completed within a month, Agriculture Minister T. Siddique has said. Speaking at a district-level review meeting
The mapping of fallow lands across Kerala will be completed within a month, Agriculture Minister T. Siddique has said. Speaking at a district-level review meeting here on Sunday (July 6, 2026), the Minister also directed officials to take steps to ensure the quality of paddy. To address concerns over paddy grain quality and discolouration in Kottayam and Kuttanad, Mr. Siddique entrusted a special team from the Kerala Agricultural University with conducting a detailed study. The team has been asked to assess the quality of paddy, examine the reasons for discolouration, recommend remedial measures, and interact with farmers and other stakeholders within a week.
The Minister also instructed officials to identify damaged, blocked, and non-functional irrigation systems serving agricultural lands and bring them to the department’s attention for remedial action. Human-wildlife conflict The meeting reviewed the utilisation of the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) fund to mitigate human-wildlife conflict. Mr. Siddique said the government would ensure better coordination at the State level to address shortcomings in the management and utilisation of funds earmarked for measures to prevent crop damage caused by wild animals.
As part of efforts to improve the Agriculture department’s internal functioning, the meeting decided to begin collecting data on the time utilisation of department officials to enhance administrative efficiency. It also reviewed the various schemes being implemented by the department. The Minister directed officials to expedite the phased disbursal of natural calamity relief assistance to farmers. The meeting also reviewed the agricultural sector in Kottayam district, discussing the challenges faced by farmers and possible solutions. Mr. Siddique highlighted the importance of initiatives such as Kathir Agricultural Clubs, launched to foster interest in farming among students, and Krishi Sakhi, a programme aimed at promoting the welfare and economic empowerment of women farmers.
The meeting was also attended by Agriculture department officials, the District Collector, and the Additional District Magistrate.
The BriefWire