After the recent spurt in real estate prices which began taking its toll on paddy fields in Kerala has forced the state government to pass a bill banning any other commerical activity on the paddy fields.

Paddy is the worst hit all over the state with paddy fields being converted into houses and other buildings.

According to the figures provided by the State Planning Board indicate the area under paddy cultivation came down from 347,000 hectares in 2000-01 to 276,000 hectares in the last fiscal.