Reviving Traditional Organic Heirloom Pokkali Rice Farming Heritage and Treasure of Kerala and India
Pokkali Rice
Millenia old Indigenous Heirloom Rice of Kerala, India
Naturally Organic Farming without any Fertilizers or Pesticides
WTO Geographic Indication (GI) Tag with Organic Certification
HS Codes 100610/seeds, 100630/milled, 10063010/parboiled
Nutritional Powerhouse from Nature
Rich in Protein, Fiber, Antioxidants, Micronutrients and Minerals
Low in Carbohydrates. Low Glycemic Index. Ideal Diabetic Diet
Flood, Salinity and Climate Change Resilient
Naturally Sustainable Carbon Sequestered Farming
Cultivated only in Coastal Clay Wetlands of Central Kerala
Organic Agricultural Treasure of Kerala and India
Pokkali Rice Story - Millenia old GI-Tagged Organic Rice Farming Heritage of Kerala and India
Pokkali is the oldest indigenous rice variety that has 3000 years of organic cultivation and climate resilience history. The journey of Pokkali rice began from a flood, where earlier Pokkali was wild rice that was seen in the western ghats of India and was carried by the flood to low-lying coastal saline areas. All the climatic stress was overcome in this great journey and it developed resistance to flood and salinity. It is grown in the water-logged, coastal regions of Ernakulam, Thrissur, and Alappuzha districts in Kerala and is well known for its flood, saline tolerance, and high nutritional value. The rice got its name Pokkali, because of its notable height, which can grow up to 6 feet. In Malayalam, Pokkali is a term used to describe someone who dominates in height over others. Pokkali rice cultivation alternated with extensive aquaculture is known as Pokkali farming. In Kerala, when the southwest monsoons wash the salinity of the tiny soil mounds made in the fields, is the ideal time to start Pokkali paddy cultivation, it is carried out over 6 months which begins in May for soil preparation, June for sowing, July for Spreading and ends in October for harvesting, which is the first season. In the second season, which runs from November to April, prawns/fish are produced in the same field. During harvest, panicles are cut, and the remaining parts are left in the field, where they eventually serve as feed for fish farming. Source: Kerala Government Department of Agriculture Development & Farmers’ Welfare and Information Bureau. Kerala Karshakan November 2022
2026 Season Heralds 200% Growth in Pokkali Rice Farming in Ezhikkara
Validating centuries old traditional organic Pokkali Rice farming methods, successful harvesting of traditional Chettivirippu Pokkali Rice without any fertilizers or pesticides was achieved at Ezhikkara affirming the exceptionally nutrient rich and naturally organic Pokkali farmlands of coastal central Kerala.
Genuine farmers in Ezhikkara sucessfully cultivating Pokkali Rice during monsoon season without any hinderances of attakkili, nellikkozhi, ducks, piegeons, eranda bird pests, farm rats, heavy rains, floods, boundary or sluice breaches, climate change, labor issues etc and subsequently continuing successful and symbiotic Prawn Farming durin dry season in the Pokkali Farms.
2026 Pokkali Rice 120 Days Cultivation Stages
Seeds 
6 Days 2 Soak Germination 
Jun 28 Sowing 
Jun 30 
Jul 04 
Jul 07 
Jul 18 
Jul 26 
Jul 29 Spreading (Nirathhal) 
Aug 01 
Aug 07 
Aug 17 
Aug 27 
Sep 02 
Sep 10 
Sep 14 
Oct 08 2026 Pokkali Sapling Spreading/Nirathhal (Day 30)
Spreading of sapling is traditionally done in the Day28 to Day30 window after sowing when the clay coil root clump is just right in its composition for the saplings to be plucked by hand alongwith its root clay clump. These are then dropped on to the open farm areas with about a foot separation. The original sapling growth mounds gets levelled in the process and the entire farm area is populated with the saplings. Rain water accumulation enables the saplings to get back upright with the roots taking hold in the clay soil for burst of growth over the next 90 days until harvesting.
Spreading (Nirathhal) Spreading (Nirathhal) Spreading (Nirathhal) 
Pokkali Farms - Natural Carbon Sequestration
Kerala's traditional symbiotic Pokkali Rice - Prawn farming system stores carbon, builds healthy soils, and offers a model for climate-resilient agriculture. Along Kerala's coastal wetlands lies one of the world's most remarkable farming ecosystems—the Pokkali rice–prawn rotational farming system. For centuries, farmers have cultivated salt-tolerant Pokkali rice during the monsoon months and reared prawns during the saline season, creating a productive farming cycle that works in harmony with nature. Today, this traditional system is gaining renewed attention for another reason: its ability to **capture, store, and recycle carbon**, making Pokkali farms valuable natural assets in the fight against climate change.
Online Marketplace
Online Marketplace Exchange for farmers to directly buy, sell and export traditional heirloom variety Pokkali seeds and rice. Internationally recognized WTO GI Tag and the NPOP Organic Farming Certification. Successful public-private partnership model for market placement of harvested crop and collaborations with Executive Chefs at premimum hospitality establishments as ambassadors of this iconic Pokkali rice and cuisine are driving rapid revival of this uniquely Kerala agricultural heritage. Only rice cultivated from traditional heirloom Chettivirippu and Cheruvirippu Pokkali seeds in the fully organic clay farms of coastal Ernakulam, Alappuzha and Thrissur districts are classified and authenticated as Pokkali Rice
Pokkali Rice Cuisine
Simple exquisitely savory recipes passed down through generations from grandmothers in the coastal villages of central Kerala with over 8000 hectares of Pokkali farmlands. Their everage 90+ year life longevity and incredbile physical health and intellectual acuity is the ultimate testament and emperical evidence there is to the nutritious value of this staple rice diet. Enjoy recipe videos of iconic and savory Pokkali Rice Kerala cuisine from the home kitchens of incredibly passionate chefs!. Calling on all accomplished Kerala Executive Chefs in the hospitality sector to be brand ambassadors of this uniquely Kerala Pokkali Rice delicacies for their discerning clientele. Community Pokkali Seed Network
To ensure continued availability of good quality traditional heirloom seeds for annual Pokkali farming, existing informal Community Pokkali Seed Network (CPSN) of traditional variety seeds among genuine farmers is being deployed alongwith Seed Multiplication Farming (SMF) initiatives. These seeds are distributed selectively to farmers with proven track record of genuine cultivation from sowing to harvesting by adhering to time tested traditional Pokkali farming practices. Excludes farmers and farm owners who undertake sham cultivation effort every year only for the sole purpose of claiming free govt crop loss compensation by submiting misleading photographic evidences to continue unauthorized year around Prawn farming.
VB-GRAM-G Scheme Labor Allocation
Government of India VB-GRAM-G Labor Workdays Guarantee Scheme has set aside 60 days for needs of paddy cultivation aligned with seasonal weather
Genome Database
Genomic DNA Sequence database for all existing traditional Pokkali rice seeds (past and present) exclusively from coastal clay Pokkali farm lands of Ernakulam, Alappuzha and Thrissur districts that represent authentic GI Tagged Organic Pokkali cultivation are enabled for rapid classification, authentication, preservation and revival. Only traditional variety Pokkali Rice such as Chettivirippu harvested in these farms are authentic Pokkali Rice. Genetically modified hybrid Vyttila-x Rice varieties are NOT authentic Pokkali.
Automation
Automation of Pokkali farming including drones for sowing, spraying, monitoring and mapping, bird and pest deterrance, automated sluice controllers, soil and crop health monitoring and alerts, tillers for dried clay farms, machines for stalk threshing and seed drying. Government to facilitate farmer access to associated automation equipments.
Sluice Gates
Automated Sluice Gate Control Valve (Aalam | ആലം)
A one-way sliice control valve, known as Aalam, is fabricated using wood planks and traditionally used by farmers to regulate water level in Pokkali farms synchronized with tidal flows during cultivation season. This valve opens up during low tides under water pressure from the farm to drain excess accumulated rain water in the farm. Likewise during high tides the valve closes shut with external water pressure and prevents canal salt water from entering the farm during cultivation season. Placement of the valve controls water level in the farm. See following illustrations with specifications, fabrication steps and example farm deployment.
Profitable Cultivation
Detailed cost breakdown of fully Organic Pokkali crop cultivation and harvesting using traditional methods and local labor. Derived from a successful Pokkali farming done in 2024. Cost per Kg of seeds, rice grains and downstream derivative products. Cost allocations for key steps including Seeds, Transport, Vellam Pidikkal, Chera Vettal, Nilam Unakkal, Nilam marakkal, Thodu Valikkal, Kelakkal, Vithakkal, Niratthal, {Attakili Nilakkozhi, Eli-vettal, Chaazhi} nottam, Koyitthu, Transport, Kettu Kalam, Unakkal, Chettal, Vithu maattal, Puzhungal, Unakkal, Methikkal, Chettal, Bagging etc.
Revival Initiatives, Tourism and Public Policy
Existing Public Policy protecting Pokkali farms EXCLUSIVELY for Pokkali Paddy Cultivation 14-April to 14-November (7 month Crop Calendar) as has been the case over centuries MUST be maintained and enforced. Encroachment and tresspassing of Pokkali farm lands from non-farming vested interests such as Eco-Tourism and Year-round Aquaculture by entities citing misleading and manufactured reasons for the lack of paddy cultivation must be prohibited. Pokkali cultivation is successfully being done by farmers from sowing through harvesting, as factually evidenced in Ezhikkara, Varappuzha, Kadamakkudy and Alappuzha without any of the issues cited by the Tourism and Aquaculture lobbies. These farmers need to be supported and their farming model needs to be promoted and replicated across all fallow farms.Several farmers and entities are ready and willing to cultivate Pokkali Rice in the fallow farms of Ernakulam District. Paddy cultivation is proven to be successful and profitable in these farms by genuine farmers in Ezhikkara, Kadamakudy and Varappuzha. Government must urgently regulate and incentivise fallow farm owners to either undertake 7-month Pokkali Farming themselves through to harvesting (not namesake sham cultivation attempts to collect free govt crop loss subsidies) or make farm land available on a 7-month lease to willing farmers and entities for immediate Pokkali farming.
It has been proven by traditional practice over centuries that a 7-month Pokkali Crop Cultivation ENHANCES multi-fold associated 5-month Aquaculture Prawn yields and soil fertility. Existing Policy is a WIN-WIN for Pokkali and Prawn farming and is NOT a zero-sum proposition. Broad based policy change initiatives MUST NOT attempt to fix what is not broken. Tourism initiatives such as kayaking, motor boating, resorts etc should be moved off of Pokkali Farms to inland waters or adjoining rivers. Opportunitiies for traditional "Vanchi" boat rides amidst lush green Pokkali farms already exists and has been practiced by farmers over centuries to transport harvested crop. This can be offered as a truly authentic water navigation experience for tourists without need for any policy changes.
Sham Cultivations Draining Public Taxpayer Money
Sham cultivation to avail free government crop loss compensation is draining taxpayer money and undermining Pokkali Rice farming revival efforts. Eessential and timely Pokkali farm preparations are routinely delayed or ignored. Namesake sowing of seeds and spreading of saplings are carried out without needed oversight and monitoring. Crop loss at the spreading (Nirathhal) stage is claimed citing various misleading reasons to avail free crop loss compensation. Genuine farmers in contrast continue to cultivate and harvest Pokkali Rice successfully year after year in the very same farming environment without any issues.
Symbiotic Pokkali and Prawn Farming Calendar
Month |
Activity | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 14-30 | Draining Drying |
Draining, Clearing and reinforcing Bunds വെള്ളം പിടിക്കൽ | നിലം ഉണക്കൽ | ചെറ വെട്ടൽ |
| May | Farm Preparation | Ploughing, Tilling, Mound Creation നിലം കിള ക്കൽ | തോട്/വാരം വലി ക്കൽ |
| Jun | Sowing | June 1-15: Let first monsoon rains wash out soil salt. June 16-23: Germinate seeds for sowing June 24-30: Sow seeds and monitor for bird and rodent pests for 10 days. വിത്തു മുളപ്പിക്കൽ | വിത ക്കൽ |
| July | Spreading | Spread out and distribute 28-day old foot-high saplings to cover farm. ഞാറു നിരത്തൽ |
| Aug | Monitor | Monitor for bird and rodent pests. Periodically drain farm to allow sunlight to reach root clump. ആറ്റക്കിളി, എലിവെട്ടൽ, നെല്ലിക്കോഴി, ചാഴി നോട്ടം | കളം ഒരുക്കൽ |
| Sep | Monitor | Monitor for bird and rodent pests. Sluice control for regular tidal inflows and outflows.കൊയ്ത്ത് | മെതിക്കൽ | ഉണക്കൽ | പതിരു ചെറ്റൽ | വിത്തു മാറ്റൽ |
| Oct | Harvesting | Await golden hue of rice grains and visual tilt of heavy stalks. At around 110 days from sowing, initiate harvesting. Cut top 2/3rd of stalk with gains. Leave bottom 1/3rd bare stalk in the farm for organic composting. കൊയ്ത്ത് | മെതിക്കൽ | ഉണക്കൽ | പതിരു ചെറ്റൽ | വിത്തു മാറ്റൽ |
| Nov 01-14 | Threshing Drying Milling |
Dry/Roll/Dry harvested slaks. Thresh harvested stalks to get rice grains. 5-day drying/cooling/rolling sequence to get needed quantitiy of sowing seeds for next season. Store in dark/cool place. Boil/Dry/Mill rest of sweeds to get rice graiins. പുഴുങ്കൽ | ഉണക്കൽ | പൊടിക്കൽ | പൊക്കാളി അരി |
| Nov 15-30 | Prawn Farming | Prepare farm for Prawn farming |
| Dec | Prawn Farming | Prawn farming |
| Jan | Prawn Farming | Prawn farming |
| Feb | Prawn Farming | Prawn farming |
| Mar | Prawn Farming | Prawn farming |
| Apr 01-14 | Prawn Harvesting | Harvest Prawn and wind down Prawn Farming |
Tide Times for Kochi and surrounding coastal Kerala
Pokkali Farms of Kerala
Ezhikkara Pokkali Farms - Central and South Padasekharams (Clusters)
Red: Traditional Seeds | Orange: Hybrid Seeds | Green: Central Padasekharam Farms | Blue: South Padasekharam Farms