Kuttanad Below-Sea-Level Farming: The Rice Bowl of Kerala & Village Canoe Tours

One of the World's Few Below-Sea-Level Farming Systems

Covering the delta region of four major rivers (Pamba, Meenachil, Achankovil, and Manimala) flowing into Vembanad Lake, Kuttanad is universally celebrated as the 'Rice Bowl of Kerala'. Recognized by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS), Kuttanad is one of only two places in the world (alongside the Netherlands) where agriculture is successfully practiced 4 to 10 feet below sea level.

The Unique Agro-Hydraulic System

• Polder Dyke Engineering: Local farmers construct protective dykes using bio-bunds of clay, river sand, and coconut leaves to drain water out of submerged lake beds (kayals) into surrounding canals using electric pumps, creating fertile below-sea-level rice fields.
• Village Country Canoe Tours: While large houseboats are restricted to wide main rivers, silent hand-paddled wooden country canoes allow travelers to glide through narrow village canals right past local school children riding public water ferries, washerwomen on stone ghats, and duck herders guiding thousands of white ducks across the waterways.
• Toddy Tapping & Local Shacks: Visitors can witness local toddy tappers climbing coconut palms to extract fresh sweet sap (Neera), which naturally ferments into mildly alcoholic Toddy, enjoyed with spicy tapioca (Kappa) and fiery fish curry.