Pampady Grama Panchayath Joins Hands with TIESFPC to Become Kerala’s First "No Fallow Land Panchayath"

In a landmark move for Kerala’s agricultural revival, Pampady Grama Panchayath in Kottayam district has joined hands with TIES Farmer Producer Company Ltd. (TIESFPC) to launch an ambitious two-year project aimed at converting all fallow and cultivable lands into safe food production units. This visionary initiative positions Pampady as a pioneer in the State’s efforts to reclaim abandoned farmland and strengthen local food security.

Announcing the project at the Panchayath Committee meeting, Siju K. Issac, President, Pampady Grama Panchayath, highlighted the urgent need for intervention. Over the years, large stretches of cultivable land within the Panchayath have been abandoned due to the absence of younger generations in farming households and the recurring financial losses faced by small farmers. These neglected lands have increasingly turned into unsafe and problematic spaces—serving as hideouts for anti-social activities, waste dumping sites, and even attracting stray dogs due to food waste disposal. In several pockets, even well-established rubber plantations now lie unattended.

“The real crisis our land faces is not the lack of soil, water, or opportunity—it is the lack of true farmers,” the President emphasized. “Through this partnership, we hope to revive the agricultural spirit of our community.”

TIESFPC, recognised as a New-Gen Farmer Collective, will play a pivotal role by mobilising trained farming teams, modern cultivation practices, and an organised supply chain to ensure that every identified plot is brought back into productive use. “Our aim is to become the future farmers of this land by transforming unused spaces into safe, sustainable food-growing ecosystems,” said Dr. Punnen Kurian, Managing Director, TIESFPC, who presented the project plan at the meeting. Ajit Abraham, CEO, TIESFPC, also participated in the discussions.

The Panchayath Committee members unanimously endorsed the project and decided to roll it out through upcoming Grama Sabha meetings, ensuring full community participation and transparency.

With this initiative, Pampady Grama Panchayath sets a powerful example for Kerala—demonstrating how collaboration between local governance and community-driven enterprises can breathe new life into agriculture, restore food sovereignty, and reclaim the land for the next generation.