KOTTAYAM: As wild boar attacks continue to escalate across the state’s forest fringes, an organic solution for mitigating crop destruction is gaining traction among farmers. The Indian leadwort, scientifically known as Plumbago Indica and locally referred to as ‘Chethikoduveli,’ has emerged as an effective deterrent, said farmers.
First introduced by settler farmers in Kannur, the plant has now expanded its reach to the high ranges of Central Travancore with local bodies and the Agriculture Department taking initiatives to promote the planting of chethikoduveli at various locations. Local bodies in Idukki such as Vazhathope and Arakkulam as well as Koottickal in Kottayam have rallied to support the farmers to use this plant as a natural barrier against wild boars. “We have decided to use this plant in our panchayat as a pilot project. We will provide plants to farmers at 75 per cent subsidy rate. In the initial phase, plants will be given to 18 farmers in the panchayat,” said Bijoy Jose, president of Koottikkal panchayat.
According to experts, the plant’s roots produce a pungent sap that repels wild boars, making it a natural alternative to traditional methods to prevent the vermin. Farmers residing in the forest fringes have increasingly adopted this plant, especially after previous attempts to fend off these animals proved unsuccessful.
