Retired Teachers From Palakkad Thrive Through Sustainable Farming

Kesavan Namboothiri (64) and P Gowri (58), retired teachers from Palakkad, have become local inspirations by turning to sustainable farming after retirement. Now living in Kankol, Payyanur, they manage six acres of land three for paddy and three with 120 coconut trees, 150 areca nut trees, 100 plantains, and over 500 native banana plants. Their farm also grows tubers, vegetables, and produces honey, showing how retirement can be both fulfilling and productive.

Transforming Retirement into Sustainable Enterprise

Organic Methods: With the exception of paddy, everything grown is organic, including a wide variety of native bananas such as Njalipoovan and Annarakkannan, which fetch up to ₹60/kg.

Intercropping & Rotation: Tuber crops are grown between coconut trees, optimizing land use, while paddy fields host red cowpeas and black gram after the main rice harvest.

Bee-Keeping & Honey: Last season they harvested and sold 80 kg of honey at ₹300/kg.

Integrated Livelihoods and Self-Sufficiency

• They own 12 cows (5 lactating) and sell about 50 liters of milk daily through the local dairy cooperative.

• Cow dung is used as manure and also sold, lowering costs and reducing waste.

• Fodder is farm-grown, further reducing external inputs.

Value Addition and Marketing Innovation

• They run a mini rice mill to produce and sell premium rice variants.

• Ghee (₹1100/kg), buttermilk (12 liters daily at ₹40/liter), homemade turmeric powder (₹400/kg), and jackfruit papad (₹30 for a pack of 5) are all on offer, none containing any preservatives or artificial additives.

• Their flexible approach ensures that whatever is produced finds a ready market, from fresh vegetables in summer to seasonal pickles.

Impact and Inspiration

The couple is now earning more from their farm and value-added products than from their combined pensions. Their journey illustrates how retirement can be a time for renewal contributing not only to their health and well-being but also to the community and the environment, all while remaining economically productive. Their farm serves as a model for retired professionals, advocating sustainable agriculture as a rewarding and fulfilling “second innings.”

This story shows that life after retirement can bring new chances for entrepreneurship, community involvement, and caring for the environment especially when connected to the land and local traditions.