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Areekkunnu

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The land on the hill side was run over by undergrowth and wild plants. It had not been cultivated for many years. Long back it was a cashew orchard.

In December 2017 we got the wild growth cleared. We plan to bring the land once more under cultivation. The plan is to grow cashewnut with some minor crops in between and if possible black pepper.

The place is cut in to 6 terraces and over that is a steep hillside. Irrigation will be a problem and we may have to grow crops with low water need or entirely rain fed crops.

The land was over grown with waste vegetation and it was very hard work to clear it. Many* man days were spent in ridding of the waste vegetation. Approximate total cost of clearing work comes to Rs 30000.

We have pre booked with Krishi Bhavan for 60 cashew saplings for planting before the onset of monsoon. As intercrop we plan for inji , manjal and chena. For black pepper support the options we had in mind are: mahagony, silver oak or soil filled PVC pipe.

On the four boundaries of the whole plot we plan for arecanut (kavungu), sheema konna (flower tree) and pineapple. Sheemakonna leaves make good fertilizer. Requested Sreeraj for supply of 50 seed or saplings of Naadan kavungu as it is not available in open market. Prefer naadan because it survives without irrigation.

We are planning to visit Cashew research station Madakkathara, near KAU Mannuthy by next week to collect information about planting methods of cashew, available and suitable varieties and inter crops. Also expecting some info about RWH.









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Location: Arikkulam, Kerala, India

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