പ്രാദേശിക കാര്‍ഷിക ഗവേഷണ കേന്ദ്രം, കുമരകം

The Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS), Kumarakom, a constituent institution of Kerala Agricultural University, is situated at 9°3' latitude and 76°3' longitude in the Kumarakom village of Kottayam district on the southern side of the river Kavanar (Kavanattinkara). It lies at an altitude of 0.6 m below MSL in the Special Zone of Problem Areas comprising `Kuttanad', `Pokkali' and ‘Onattukara’ tracts. The nearest municipal town is Kottayam, which is 15 km south of Kavanattinkara.

The total geographical area of the farm attached to the RARS is 44.43 hectares. The soil of the farm is riverine alluvium, silty clay in texture. It is acidic in reaction with the pH ranging between 5 and 5.4. Kumarakom enjoys a humid tropical climate. The normal annual rainfall is 2469 mm, the bulk of which (55.4%) is received during the span of 3 months from June to August. A dry spell prevails during December to April. The mean maximum and minimum temperatures are 30.8° C and 25.3° C, respectively. The mean relative humidity is 86.7 per cent.

            The Kuttanad wet land ecosystem is a unique water – land system which comprises the Vembanad Kayal and a huge network of rivers, canals and drains, wet lands and garden lands. It is located in the southern coastal part of Kerala State and spread across the districts of Alappuzha, Kottayam and Pathanamthitta. The region consists of the deltaic alluvium of four major rivers flowing through it together with the area in and around Vembanad lake. Being low-lying estuarine lands, these areas are subjected to floods during the two monsoons and salinity intrusion during post monsoon periods.  The whole of Kuttanad is divided into six agro ecological zones based on the topography, proximity to saline water intrusion, flood etc. They are Lower Kuttanad, Upper Kuttanad, North Kuttanad, Kayal lands, Vaikom Kari and Purakkad kari. As the fields are generally below sea level, water from the bordering canal system is drawn by gravity flow and used for irrigation. 

The natural blending of land and water coupled with the high fertility status make the system ideal for agricultural purposes. The paddy fields in Kuttanad are wetlands, either natural low-lying land formations or manmade reclamations from the Vembanad Lake and are classified into three distinct zones viz., Karappadam, Kayal lands and Kari lands.  wherein rice is grown up to 2.5 m below sea level. Coconut is the pivotal crop in the garden lands. Banana, vegetables, pulses, cocoa and tree spices are grown as intercrops. The garden lands are not contiguous as channels and waterways surround each strip of land. Milch cows, goat rearing and poultry/ duck form an integral part of the homesteads. The rivers, channels and ponds serve as a habitat for freshwater fishes while the backwaters serve as an extensive nursery for the migrant fish/ shellfish species.

Mandates

To serve as a regional centre to co-ordinate and guide the research activities for solving the location specific problems in the special zone comprising Kuttanad, Onattukara and Pokkali tracts. The five satellite stations include Rice Research Station, Moncompu; Onattukara Regional Agricultural Research Station, Kayamkulam; Rice Research Station, Vyttila and Agricultural Research Station, Thiruvalla.

• To take up research on integrated farming systems incorporating crops, livestock, poultry and fish.
• To promote research efforts suitable for Kuttanad in respect of rice, coconut, vegetables, tuber crops, fruit crops and indigenous spice crops.
• To evolve agronomic practices and land use patterns in the influence area of the station viz., the special zone of problem areas.
• To evolve strategies for on farm mechanization suitable to below sea level farming.

 

Crops and Livestock

The bulk of land area (19.5 ha) of RARS is planted with coconut. Coconut is grown on bunds reclaimed from Vembanad lake. Rice also occupies an area of 5 ha. The other important crops grown in this station are Banana, Vegetables, Garcinia, Clove, Pepper, Mango, Pepper and fodder grass. A dairy farm is also established at RARS. An area of about 1.5 ha is utilized for fish culture.

Varieties released from RARS Kumarakom

Indu - A Greater yam (Dioscorea alata) suitable for partial shade of coconut gardens.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

KMV-1 -A superior type vegetable cowpea culture tolerant to shade.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

KMC-1 (Kalpaka) – A short duration tapioca variety suitable for intercropping in coconut gardens of Kuttanad.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Haritham – Spreading trees, golden yellow oblate fruits high driage, high hydroxycitric acid (HCA), good for homesteads.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amrutham - Compact tree, golden yellow coloured, global shaped fruits, high yield suitable for industrial purpose.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nithya- High yield low tannin content, good for both industrial purpose and culinary purpose.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Manjari- Tolerant to mosaic disease and shade.