Rammohan Paliyath, writer and columnist

Keralam can set an example for the world in combating climate change by promoting homestead farming, as it has been practiced in the hilly regions of Keralam for a long time, says writer and columnist Rammohan Paliyath.

Rammohan was delivering the Environment Day lecture at the 34th edition of the Beyond Square Feet lecture series organised by Asset Homes on Water, Housing and Environment Days.

‘We must recognise the importance of homestead farming in this year’s Environment Day celebration, which is themed on climate change. Climate experts and scientists have pointed out that homestead farming can combat climate change in two ways, and on a large scale. Firstly, through local production of food, we can significantly reduce transportation, fuel, refrigeration and packaging. Secondly, diversified homesteads, which include fruit trees and vegetables, can also play a major role in carbon sequestration compared to monocultures. The use of pesticides etc will also be less in homestead farming.”

He also demanded that the government and corporates should pay additional remuneration to farmers who provide local food resources with low pesticide presence, in addition to their price, for the environmental and topographic services they provide.

Asset Homes, which recently started construction of its 125th project in Tripunithura, Asset Around the Tree, is planting around 60 trees around this project, said Sunil Kumar V., founder and managing director of Asset Homes, who spoke at the event.

The common-area energy needs of many of Asset’s residential projects are met through solar power. In many projects, water is recycled and used for gardening and other purposes. Efforts are also underway to reduce energy by using environment-friendly cladding tiles, which significantly reduces air conditioning costs, he said.

Published on June 9, 2026