Kuttanad, is called the rice bowl of Kerala because of its wealth of paddy crops. It lies at the very heart of the backwaters. The scenic countryside of Kuttanad with its shimmering waterways also has a rich crop of banana, cassava and yams. This is perhaps the only region where farming is done 1.5 to 2 m. below sea level. Inland waterways which flow above land level are an amazing feature of this region.