The farmers’ collective is also marketing its paddy harvest under a rice brand christened ‘Nanma’. A group of Gulf returnees in Malappuram has embarked on an ambitious mission to restore the lost glory of agriculture as a profession. Amid growing concerns over the waning of opportunities in the Gulf, these men ignite a spark of hope.
Malappuram has immensely benefited from emigration to the Gulf countries which peaked in 80s, but there was a flip side to that trend. Over the years, the lush green fields in many areas in the district have given way to either housing plots or barren wastelands.
However, many paddy fields in and around Nannambra, a small village in Tirurangadi taluk, that had been lying fallow for years, have begun to flourish now, thanks to the efforts of a collective of Gulf returnees. They are setting an example for others who face a livelihood crisis in the Gulf to choose an appropriate line of activity once they return to their home country.
"There are ample opportunities here to make a living. You need to look around to find them. Under the Pravasi Haritha Society (Expatriate Green Society), we have cultivated paddy in 100 acres of land. Seeing us, many local men too have started showing interest in farming. Around 1,250 acres of barren clusters in Nannambra have been turned into lush paddy fields. The Society is into greenhouse farming as well. Also, a wide variety of greens are cultivated in paddy fields as an inter-crop," said Muhammed Bava Panchayi, president, Pravasi Haritha Society.
The farmers’ collective is also marketing its paddy harvest under a rice brand christened ‘Nanma’. Last year, the members received 14 per cent of the total revenue each as a share of the profit. The president himself coordinates and oversees all the activities of the society. The collective is also into manufacturing of eco-friendly bags.
Staggering figures
According to the Census 2011 data, total population of Malappuram district is 41,12,920. The total number of Non-Resident Keralites (NRK) from the district is 2,92,753, which means one out of every 15 people in the district lives abroad. Malappuram also has the most number of NRKs in the state.
In fact, at a closer look, the district has more reasons to worry than to rejoice about these staggering figures. Malappuram will be hit hard by the mass lay-offs and massive spending cuts in the Gulf region.
The district recorded a total revenue of Rs 31,737 crore during the fiscal ended March 31, 2017, of which NRI remittance was Rs 9,261 crore. It gives a clear picture of the role played by the foreign workforce in Malappuram’s economic growth. Moreover, NRI remittances account for 29 per cent of the total bank deposit in the district. However, there is no doubt that Malappuram will be the worst hit, if remittances inflow from abroad, mainly the Gulf, starts faltering.
Over 40 lakh Indian migrants are estimated to be living in Saudi Arabia. The country’s revised Nitaqat or localization scheme and stringent social security laws could affect thousands of Keralite migrant workers living there.
Recently, thousands of Malayalees lost their jobs following the Saudization of the telecommunication sector. There is no conclusive data on the number of Gulf returnees with either the state government or the Department of Non-Resident Keralites Affairs (NoRKA). Nevertheless, one thing is certain; migration from Kerala to the Gulf countries has come down, while the number of Keralites returning are increasing. This trend shift has fueled fears among families of about 3 lakh migrants from Malappuram working in the Gulf.
Setting an example
Maliyekkal Muhammed Haji, a native of Kunnathumparambu near Chemmad in Malappuram district, decided to end his expatriate life and return home after it became hard to survive there. Haji, who was running a fast food joint in Abha, made up his mind to toil in the soil once he got back home.
He is currently engaged in lease-land farming in two acres. There are 2,000 Nendran banana variety plants and 300 Robusta plants in his farm that are ready for harvest. He has also cultivated paddy in two acres and a wide variety of vegetables in one acre of land.
“There is a huge demand for the locally grown organic vegetables. I don’t have to go in search of customers. People come to my farm and purchase the yield directly. It ensures a good price owing to the elimination of the middlemen. The sales take place between 4 pm and 6 pm and fetch about Rs 6,000 per day. If you are ready to work hard, there is no need to go abroad to earn a livelihood,” Haji says.
