By PUNNEN KURIAN | Project Leader
In Kerala, our lush wetlands and paddy fields are more than just scenic landscapes; they are the lifelines of our river systems and groundwater reserves. However, a silent crisis is unfolding. Driven by a failure to support sustainable livelihoods and a growing disinterest among the youth, smallholder farmers are abandoning their fields. Today, Kerala faces the unique challenge of rapidly increasing fallow lands, especially in critical wetland ecosystems.
As a result, we are forced to import rice—our staple food—from neighboring states. But the impact goes far beyond food insecurity. When wetlands are left fallow, they degrade ecologically. Invasive weeds and pests take over, severely damaging both surface and groundwater systems. The very rivers and streams we are trying to protect through the "Adopt A River" campaign are drying up and degrading because their surrounding wetland ecosystems have been abandoned.
The Solution: Cultivating Resilience
To address this severe socio-economic and ecological crisis, the Tropical Institute of Ecological Sciences (TIES), with the support of NABARD, launched a dedicated Farmer Producer Organisation (www.tiesfpc.com). Our mission is ambitious yet grounded: to revive fallow wetlands, produce safe, chemical-free food, and market it directly to Malayalis across the globe, all while restoring the ecological balance of our water systems.
By returning these fallow wetlands to active, sustainable cultivation, we are removing invasive weeds, restoring the soil, and allowing the paddy fields to once again act as natural sponges that recharge our groundwater and feed our rivers.
A Story of Transformation: The Fields of Ericad
The change is already happening. TIESFPC has successfully undertaken the cultivation of more than 50 acres of previously abandoned land. A shining example of this revival is our 20-acre paddy field project in Ericad, Puthuppally.
Where there was once degraded, weed-choked land, golden stalks of healthy rice now sway in the breeze. Through the hard work of our farming community, we have harvested safe, high-quality rice and successfully brought it to market under our new brand name, Mannthra. Every grain of Mannthra rice represents a restored wetland, a protected water system, and a farmer who has regained their livelihood.
We Need Your Support to Grow
While the success of Mannthra and the revival of 50 acres is a monumental first step, thousands of acres of fallow wetlands still desperately need intervention. TIES and TIESFPC need your support to expand our fallow land cultivation and step into the commercial production of value-added, safe foods.
When you support this initiative, you aren't just funding a farming project. You are:
Join us in turning barren, ecologically degraded lands back into thriving ecosystems. Adopt a wetland. Protect a river. Empower a farmer.
Donate today to help TIES expand the fallow land revolution!
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