IDUKKI/IWMP:-III-VI / MODEL NURSERY (“THANAL NURSERY”) EPA

THANAL NURSERY

 A model nursery, named “Thanal nursery” was constructed with an aim to distribute Fruit tree seedlings and other tree seedlings for the families in the watershed area.  It was constructed in the Block Panchayath Premises where many people daily visits, so that it can be made as a model and demonstrated to the public easily.

 The location planned for constructing nursery was cleaned and made suitable for the nursery. It was previously covered with plants, waste materials and remained unsuitable for any use.  A retaining wall was constructed using loose boulders available at the location to level the field.  The soil was mixed with cowdung and neemcake and seed bed were prepared to sow seeds. After sowing the seeds Bio Mulching was provided. A shade house was constructed later.  The Whole Work was supervised by Block Panchayat (PIA) and Watershed Development Team (WDT) Members.

 The model agricultural nursery was constructed in the Block Panchayath compound with the aim of distributing plants to SHGs, families, farmers in the watershed areas.  It is planned to make it a model for establishing similar Nurseries in other watersheds in the ongoing 4 Projects at Azhutha Block.  It is maintained and run by a SHG formed by people residing near the block and the profits out of selling the seedlings is a source of income for the Group.

 Work started from April first and finished it in the May. The Seedlings are now sown and waiting for Germination.

 The Activity could be best undertaken at PIA level.

 The following materials were utilised in the construction of the nursery; ◦ Loose Boulder stones ◦ Agriculture implements ◦ Seeds ◦ Neem cake ◦ Cow dung ◦ GI pipe ◦ Shade net  Bought Seeds of Kanikkonna (Cassia fistula), Teak (Tectona grandis), Pathimukham (Cesalpenia sappan), Kattadi (, Mahagony )from Kerala Forest Research Institute,Peechi.  It was contructed using fund from EPA at a cost of Rs 1,17,000. It is under expansion process.

 It can be easily replicated at PIA level as a model Project. It is proposed to upscale the Nursery to a larger level by constructing one more Nursery as an extension in the same premises.  It is planned to grow fruit tree seeds and vegetable seeds in the next phase of extension.

 It is easy to transfer the knowledge to other PIAs or other watershed areas.  No specialized agencies required for knowledge transfer.  Before construction WDT Members and SHGs visited Nearby State Seed Farm and other agricultural institutions to Study the various aspects in nursery construction.  Technical Inputs were provided by WCDC and WDT for the construction.

 We hope that under the supervision of Block Panchayath the Nursery will be sustained and noticed.

 One could visit the Azhutha Block Panchayath office located at Peermade to see the model nursery. It is easily accessible by Kottayam – Kumily Road.  The Best Target group would be other PIAs.

 N 09˚34’17.25”, E 076˚59’32.56”

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