Mammootty, the nature-friendly farmer

Kottayam: People of Cheepunkal Kumarakam were in for surprise when actor Mammootty, simply clad in a khaki shirt and white dhoti, came to the paddy fields and inaugurated sowing of paddy saplings. Someone tried to touch him to make sure it was all real. People gathered to have a look at the superstar whom they had seen only in silver screen.

Mammooty came in the form of a nature-friendly farmer to sow paddy saplings on his 17-acre paddy field through `natural farming'. Childhood friend Appu, whom Mammootty call Appukkili, KM Hilal natural farming proponent and manager George accompanied him. 

He made his way to the field bare foot and started the machine used to sow saplings. Mammooty gave space for Appu and Hilal. ' I'm trying to propagate natural farming though the truthfulness in it', said the actor. He said he will use natural fertilizers and began the effort without a profit motive.

'It is not mandatory to have fertilizers to sustain farming. The cow dung and cow urine are best for that and such technique will be used here,' he added.

Hilal completed the rest: The ancient paddy seeds less affected by pests `Chankazhama' was used here which tastes too good. Jeevamritham, a mixture of cow dung and cow urine, is applied here, he added. Mammootty said if anyone knew about old seeds, he would lend his support to protect it. One can call 8089087001. 

' The land should not be made poisonous using chemical fertilizes. At present we are eating such poisoned rice. There are no healthy seeds which can counter or defy pests. Our ancestors had 3000 such seeds and at present only 60 exist,' Mammootty said. 

Mamooty who reached Maniyaparama jetty by 9 am reached Cheepunkal via boat. When he returned sharing his knowledge and gaining new knowledge it was almost noon.

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