The climatic changes in the region also changed agricultural patterns with perennial cash crops over weighed not only created heavy setbacks to the region’s traditional self-reliance in food, but also distorted the natural resource base owing to poor soil and bio-mass management systems and for the indiscriminate and unregulated application of chemicals to catalyze the soil for fast results. The disappearance of the water holding areas along the valleys and the adjoining marshy lands being divested of the natural prowess has paved way to water scarcity especially in summer for a population entirely depending on surface natural sources both for drinking and watering the plants during dry seasons. This would imply that strategic revival of wet and marshy land farming for food crops following scientific soil and water management methods becomes imperative not only for food security but also to keep intact the natural sources of water as the entire region, territory and the continent are predicted to be getting in to a major crisis.Agriculture and allied activities plays a major role in the varied programs of CHASS. The department is addressing the following issues.

–>Unorganized and disoriented farming community

–>Food scarcity and increasing dependency on market

–>Increasing unemployment

–>Non remunerative prices for cash crops and marketable surplus of commodities

–>Bio diversity imbalances

–>Soil erosion and degradation

–>Youth despondency to agriculture

–>Insufficiency in science & technology promotion and applications

–>Agriculture crisis in Kuttanad

In this respect, the Society resorted to a multi-pronged intervention strategy. Following are the major programs/activities initiated by CHASS during this year

A. Training on multi cropping

Considering the importance of farming practice in multi cropping in keeping the fertility of land, balanced eco system, one day training program was arranged for 50 lead farmers.

B. Interface with government departments

The Farmers Clubs have developed rapport with different departments in agricultural sector and availed the benefits of the project and programs to the farmers. Rice Research Centre, Horticulture Mission, ATMA, State Coconut Development Board, KVK, VFVCK, agriculture offices etc. are the major departments having shared programs and projects.

C. Orientation Programs for farmers

 Orientation/ Capacity building programs were arranged for the participant farmers in different agro-based subjects such as, sustainable organic farming, scientific agriculture practices, crop rotation, multi-cropping, inter-cropping and poly-culture

D. Marketing Initiatives (Nattuchantha)

 The Open markets for agriculture products started by CHASS at Changanacherry and Gandhinagar Kottayam are functioning very well and hundreds of farmers and families make use of the benefits. The farmers assemble here on all Tuesdays and Saturdays for marketing the agri-products and the people around the area getting fresh products with lesser price. In addition to this 60 linked markets are also functioning at different locations for helping the farmers.

E. Sunday Markets.

Sunday Markets are being promoted by CHASS for marketing the agriculture products of the local farmers. The functioning of Sunday market of Cheruvandoor, Mudiyoorkara, Chepumpara villages are praiseworthy.

F. Farmers meet/ KarshakaSangamam

26 Unit level and 12 regional level farmers meet were conducted during this period named “Karshakasangamam”. Orientation talks, agriculture expo, Cultural programs, community meals etc., were the major programs of the day.

G. Farm Club Leaders meet

Get together of Lead farmers has been conducted on 23^rd December at Ponga in order to discuss the problems in farming sector and to chalk out reliable remedial measures with community participation. Sri. P.C. Cyriac IAS presented a paper on alternative methods to be taken for the rescue of farming sector. Dr. K.G. Padmakumar, Director Centre for Low Sea level Farming moderated the debate on practical farming practices feasible for the locality base. 

H. Food Fest

CHASS Paiapadu unit organised a food fest on 24^th November in collaboration with Local gramapanchayath, Agriculture Department and CHASS head office.

I. Nattupacha – Karshikavipnanamela

CHASS Parel unit organised a 4 day long Karshikavipnanamela named “Nattupacha” from 5^th to 8^th October in Parel Global Marian Pilgrimage Centre, Changanacherry. V. Rev. Fr. Joseph Vaniapurackal, Vicar General Archdiocese of Changanacherry inaugurated the event. Fr. Joseph Kalarikal delivered the Keynote address and Fr. Jacob Varikkat vicar Parel church felicitated on the occasion. Exhibition and marketing of different items like; vegetables, roots and tubers, fruit items, vegetable seeds, fruit trees, hi-tech poultry cages, chicks,  waste disposal devises, etc., were arranged in the event. Sri. M.D Xavier and Sri.Babu Vallapura coordinated the program.

J. Kitchen Gardening- Veettumuttathoru Poshakathottam

Veetumuttathoru Poshakathottam promoted by CHASS 20 years back is still practicing by more than 5000 families in Kottayam and Alappuzha districts. Farmers are getting Vegetable seeds/seedlings along with carry bags and organic manures from CHASS at reasonable rate.

K. FPO-Farmer Producer Organization

CHASS in collaboration with NABARD conducted an orientation cum promotion meeting of the farmers clubs in Kottayam District on 29^th October. Mrs. Divya DDM NABARD Kottayam inaugurated the meeting and explained the project details. Fr. Joseph Kalarikal presided over the meeting in which Mr. Tom Jacob Secretary FPA PASS Pala and Dr. Joseph Abraham led the orientation classes.

L. Harithasamridhy

Harithasamrithi is a mission to develop and promote the agriculture based activities with the co-operation of government departments and agricultural officers of various regions. The aim of the programme is to provide chemical free food. During the year 2819 families collaborate with this scheme. 

M. Samridha Agriculture Nursery

Samrudha Agriculture Nursery Kurumbanadom is a demonstration farm and a plant nursery in support of the agriculture programmes being promoted by CHASS. Samrudha is situated in Kurumbanadom, a rural agriculture village 12 kilometers away from CHASS headquarters. The ultimate aim of Samrudhais is to promote sustainable organic farming and to protect the interests of farmers. Samrudha is famous for its demonstration plots for coconut, rubber, plantain, banana, vegetables, roots & tubers, pepper, ginger etc. During the reporting period Samrudha extended its service to more than 10000 farmers by way of awareness creation, model farm creation and supply of seeds, seedlings, grow bags etc.