Pokkali: Story of a Rice - a unique backwaters experience

Tour Description: Pokkali farming is a unique community-based initiative to preserve and conserve a one of its kind, saline-tolerant strain of rice, threatened by extinction. In a stunning backwater setting, this tour gives an opportunity to understand one of the oldest known crops cultivated through a symbiotic farming tradition involving rice and prawn culture. Pokkali is known for its tolerance to salinity and hence positioned as a climate change resistant food. To reach the
Pokkali backwaters area, we will join the locals as they take the ferry from Kochi to Vypeen. From there, it is an hour's drive.

The day excursion's highlights include:

  • Local ferry ride
  • Visit to the village Agri-Service centre, and walk through the village
  • Farm visit and interaction with a farmer who sustains the tradition against many constraints
  • Thoni (country boat) ride in the scenic backwaters, seeing daily life in the area
  • Interactive cooking and lunch with the women of village.

You will be accompanied by a trained story-teller fluent in English, and will come back with a deeper understanding, not only of the ecology of the region, but also of Kerala's inspiring community based self-help groups and co-operative bank movements.

Plan for the Day:

  • 9:00am pickup from hotel in Fort Kochi, take the local ferry (the car will be loaded on the ferry)
  • 10:30am arrive at the village after a 1hr drive
  • 10:30am to 2:00pm - visit the Agri-Service market, walk through the village, visit a Pokkali farm, take a thoni ride (local country boat) through the beautiful backwaters, visit the interpretation centre, interactive cooking and lunch
  • 2:00pm to 3:30pm - return to Fort Kochi after a relaxed lunch

Duration: 6-7 hours

Cost:

INR 4900 per person for 7-10 adults
INR 5500 per person for 5-6 adults
INR 6500 per person for 3-4 adults
INR 7000 per person for 2 adults
INR 11500 for solo traveller

Includes: Transfers to/from Fort Kochi by AC vehicle, trained storyteller, farm visit, village walk, thoni ride, interactive lunch at the village, and all taxes. This is a community tourism initiative designed to augment local incomes. Tour costs include payments to locals.

Excludes: Tips and gratuities.

How to Book: Please write to deepa@magictoursofindia.com or magictours@live.com to check availability for your dates.