Below Sea Level Farming System (Kuttanad)
The Kuttanad Below Sea Level Farming System is a traditional agricultural system in Kerala, India, where rice is cultivated on land below sea level. Through the use of bunds and polders, local communities protect the fields from flooding and saltwater intrusion. The system integrates rice cultivation with inland fisheries and duck farming, making sustainable use of the delta's wetlands. It has been recognized by the FAO as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS).
Country:
The Kuttanad Below Sea Level Farming System is a traditional agricultural system developed in the Kuttanad region of Kerala, India, where rice is cultivated on land below sea level. To make this possible, local communities build bunds and polders that drain and protect the fields from flooding and saltwater intrusion. The system integrates rice cultivation with inland fisheries, duck farming, and home gardens, making sustainable use of the delta's wetlands and water resources. It is the only farming system in India that practices below sea level rice cultivation and has been recognized by the FAO as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS).
Water use efficiency
Main theme:
African
Region:
2500 - 3000
Precipitation (mm):
High
Application difficulty:
2, 6, 11, 13 and 15
SDGs impacted:
Gravity
Energy used:
70 - 90
Efficiency (%):
Rural
Sector:
The system contributes to the conservation of the Vembanad Lake wetlands and their associated biodiversity through sustainable water and landscape management. It supports water regulation and flood control, reduces saltwater intrusion into agricultural land, maintains soil fertility through the natural deposition of sediments, and promotes an integrated production system that sustains ecosystem services and strengthens resilience to climate change.
Expected environmental impact:
$10000 - $20000 / ha
Estimated value: