Fri Sep 26 14:27:48 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary of the text and a rewritten version as a news article:

**Summary:**

A new tourism package called PAADI (Pokkali Aqua Agritourism Destination Initiative) is being launched in Ezhikkara, Ernakulam, Kerala, India, focused on providing tourists with a hands-on, immersive experience in Pokkali farming and local village life. The initiative, a joint effort by the Ernakulam District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) and Palliyakkal Service Co-operative Bank (PSCB), includes participating in farming activities, learning about the unique rice and prawn cultivation system, enjoying indigenous cuisine, and experiencing the local culture. Locals are being trained to host visitors, and the goal is to revitalize Pokkali farming while boosting local farmers’ income through tourism. The package will be inaugurated on World Tourism Day, September 27, 2025.

**News Article:**

**Ezhikkara Launches Immersive Tourism Package Showcasing Unique Pokkali Farming**

**KOCHI, KERALA – September 26, 2025** – Tourists visiting Ezhikkara, a village in Ernakulam district, Kerala, will soon have the opportunity to delve into the heart of local life with the launch of “PAADI” (Pokkali Aqua Agritourism Destination Initiative), a new experiential tourism package centered on the region’s unique Pokkali farming practices.

The initiative, spearheaded by the Ernakulam District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) and the Palliyakkal Service Co-operative Bank (PSCB), aims to offer visitors a hands-on understanding of Pokkali farming, a distinctive rice and prawn cultivation system indigenous to the area. Tourists can expect to participate in various stages of farming, from harvesting to learning about cultivation techniques.

“The focus is on introducing tourists to the Pokkali farming technique, which in itself is a unique and indigenous rice and prawn cultivation system,” said DTPC secretary Lijo Joseph. “Travellers will get to participate in Pokkali farming techniques, depending on when they choose to visit.”

The PAADI package also includes a guided walking tour designed to educate visitors about the history, importance, and intricacies of Pokkali farming. Beyond the fields, tourists will experience village life firsthand, savoring local cuisine and immersing themselves in the region’s culture and heritage.

The initiative also focuses on empowering local communities. Farmers have been trained to host travellers, providing an authentic and enriching experience. The project aims to revitalize Pokkali farming and improve the livelihood of local farmers by integrating it with tourism.

“The focus is on the revival of Pokkali farming as well as helping farmers by integrating tourism and farming,” said an official of the bank.

The PAADI package will officially be inaugurated on World Tourism Day, September 27, 2025, offering a fresh and engaging way to explore the beauty and traditions of rural Kerala.

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