KOCHI: The Kumbalangi-Chellanam-Kumbalam sustainable agricultural project, which is awaiting the Cabinet nod, is expected to lift the tourism potential of Ernakulam and Alappuzha districts.Union Minister K V Thomas, who masterminded the project, has said the growth potential of the three villages have been identified and reviving them, which have immense scope of agricultural development, can pave way for a better livelihood and ensure more inflow of tourists. The Rs 5-crore project is expected to rekindle the traditional mode of living. Milch animals will be given free of cost to the families. The milk thus obtained can either be sold or used for household purposes. People will be urged to turn to farming and seedlings will be provided at subsidised rates. “We are trying to revive the concept of healthier and safer living, a tradition initiated by our forefathers,” K V Thomas said. Cows, goats, poultry and other livestock will be provided to each BPL family during the initial phase of the project. At least two chickens and a goat will be provided to each of the selected 100 people from each villages. They will also be provided training under the Krishi Vignanja Kendra Scheme. The Kudumbasree members will also be incorporated into the project. “And, to ensure the participation of the families in agricultural activities throughout the year, programmes such as honeybee keeping, terrace farming, banana cultivation and rearing livestock are being undertaken under the project,” Kumbalangi Model Tourism Development Society president Siva Dutt said.He added that the society had launched the pilot project in Kumbalangi. “The village has registered a growth during the past months. Chellanam and Kumbalam are also expected to deliver”, he said. But, the major catch of the project is the provision of water supply to all the three villages. The Irrigation Department has been entrusted with the task. For Chellanam which faces severe water shortage, the project will be a relief. At least 16 schemes have been incorporated under the scheme making it the largest integrated agricultural project in the state. Schemes such as livestock rearing and fish farming which are independently run by the Animal Husbandry Department, Dairy Development Board, Fisheries Department and the Coirfed have been clubbed with the project. This is expected to develop the potential of the scheme.
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