TY  - BOOK
AU  - Mercykutty M J 
AU  - Rajan S Karippai (Guide)
TI  - Cause-consequence analysis of conversion of paddy fields in Kuttanad
U1  - 630.71 
PY  - 2002///
CY  - Vellanikkara
PB  - Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Horticulture
N2  - The keynote of Kerala's agriculture is the diversity in crop production, 
which is the consequence of a wide range of natural conditions. The food habits and 
the consumption pattern have made rice the staple food of the people of Kerala. A 
major land use change that has occurred in Kerala is the conversion and reclamation of 
paddy cultivated areas, both in the low lands and uplands to agricultural and non- 
agricultural purposes jeopardizing the food security of the state, when it is designated 
as a "Statutory Ration State" with over sixty percent need of food grains met by 
imports. 
Several pnmary observations in different locations of the state where 
extensive wetland conversion has taken place indicated significant consequences. It is 
estimated that more than forty percent of the population in the Kuttanad region is 
engaged in rice cultivation. In this background the study was designed to fmd out the 
nature and extent of conversion of paddy fields in Kuttanad. It was also aimed to 
analyse the push-pull factors influencing the conversion and socio-economic 
consequences of conversion of paddy fields. The agro ecosystem impact as perceived 
by the respondents was also analysed. The study was also aimed to develop a suitable 
strategy to rationalise the land use pattern to check the conversion process. 
The study was conducted in three panchayats viz. Thakazhi and Thalavady 
from Alappuzha District and Vazhappally from Kottayam District. The different types 
of respondents included convertor and non-convertor farmers, agricultural labourers, 
agricultural scientists, extension workers, people's representatives and social activists. 
Data were collected through personal interview using well structured interview 
schedule, group discussion, focus group interviews, key informant interviews, oral 
history innovations, personal field level observations and local inquiry methods. 
Different parametric and non-parametric statisti~al\ tools were used for analyzing the 
data. 
 
	
Results of the studies are summarized as follows. The study revealed that 
38.33 per cent farmers among convertors had converted the paddy field for coconut 
cultivation. It was followed by construction of buildings. Conversion for real estate, 
banana cultivation and soil digging were also observed. Among the convertors 76.67 
per cent farmers possessed below 30 per cent conversion. 
Regarding the different factors affecting the conversion process, majority 
of the economic and situational factors acted as promoters of conversion while certain 
technical and socio-psychological factors were found to retard the conversion process. 
Low profit compared to other cash crops, nuclear family system and 
scarcity of labour during peak season were found to have high influence on 
accelerating the conversion process, while local resource utilization possessed the 
highest retarding effect. 
With respect to the socio-economic consequences, change in land value, 
land use pattern and change in income due to switching over to other crops, I 
occupational diversification and outmigration of labour force were the important 
consequences. A strategy to rationalise the land use 'pattern is also proposed. 
Regarding the impact of conversion on agro-ecosystem, increased 
. 
possibility of flood and increased scarcity of drinking water were perceived as most 
I 
important by scientists and extension personnel. 
Irrecoverable change of land properties and checking of free flow of water 
were also considered as important impacts of conversion process.

UR  - http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810015021
ER  -