GIS Based Mapping for a Better Crop Planning for Perumpadappu Block of Ponnani Kole Lands in Kerala

Kole lands are one of the biggest saline, humid tropical wetland ecosystems. It spreads across Thrissur and Malappuram districts of Kerala state. They serve as a water storage structure during rainy season. After rains, the stored water is dewatered and circulated in various Kole padasekarams and channels to cultivate paddy. However, the problem is the lack of a proper water management plan resulting in crop loss. The current study is conducted in the Perumpadappu block of Ponnani Kole lands in Malappuram district. In this study, both GIS and Remote sensing technology have been collaborated to plan the crop calendar. The cropping calendar of Ponnai Kole was developed mainly for 37 Kole padashekharams of Perumpadappu block. Data about elevation, transportation, irrigation, weather and soil were collected to arrive at the crop calendar. Together, by adopting participatory rural appraisal methods and local knowledge were integrated. The final crop calendar was wetted with farmers and experts.