Kerala MP Kodikunnil Suresh seeks special Central package for Kuttanad

Kodikunnil Suresh, MP, has written to Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan urging the sanction of a special Central package for Kuttanad. The Mavelikara MP invited Mr. Chouhan to visit Kuttanad, one of India’s most unique and fragile agro-ecological regions.

Known as the “Rice Bowl of Kerala,” Kuttanad is internationally recognised as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). It is the only region in India where large-scale below-sea-level farming is practised, supporting paddy cultivation, inland fisheries, traditional duck rearing and eco-tourism.

“Despite its ecological, cultural, and economic importance, Kuttanad faces serious challenges, including frequent floods, salinity intrusion, and climate-change impacts, which have forced distress migration of farming communities and threatened traditional livelihoods. Previous interventions through Kuttanad Packages I and II have had limited impact, with several projects remaining stalled or inadequately funded,” Mr. Suresh said Wednesday (September 10, 2025).

In his letter, he emphasised the urgent need for a comprehensive package to ensure sustainable development, livelihood protection, disaster resilience, agriculture-based livelihood support and eco-tourism promotion. Inviting Mr. Chouhan to visit Kuttanad to witness its unique agricultural and cultural heritage firsthand, Mr. Suresh said that a detailed programme could be arranged in coordination with local stakeholders and the State government for on-ground assessment and discussions.

“The conservation and development of Kuttanad will safeguard livelihoods for lakhs of people and serve as a living tribute to M.S. Swaminathan’s vision of sustainable and inclusive agriculture,” he added.