Thiruvananthapuram, March 13 -- The Kerala government has announced a firm commitment to protect and preserve all existing paddy lands throughout the state, prohibiting their conversion for alternative purposes.

This declaration was made by Kerala Agriculture Minister P Prasad during a question-and-answer session in the state assembly on Wednesday.

In response to an inquiry regarding the government's intentions toward existing paddy fields, Minister Prasad emphasised the critical importance of preserving these agricultural lands from dual perspectives: ensuring food security and facilitating groundwater recharge.

The minister highlighted the significant environmental contribution of paddy cultivation, noting that a single acre of paddy...