A good apple harvest is expected in Kanthallur in the state of Kerala, and this subsequently raises hopes of farmers in the villages of Perumala, Puthur, and Guhanathapuram.
Though apple cultivation is not spread over a wide area, the fruit grown in fragmented farms is known for its quality. At times, climatic conditions spoil the spirit of farmers but this season is said to be a favourable one.
Farmers say the harvest is better this season in terms of colour and size. Nestled on the border with Tamil Nadu, Kanthallur is the only winter-fruit growing centre in Kerala. The fruits grown at Kanthallur include orange, cherimoya, plum, guava, peach, passion fruit, strawberry, and blackberry. The months of July and August are exclusively for apple, for which the flowering season is January and February. Apple is the main attraction of visitors to farms and the farmers get better prices on the spot. “The tourists visiting Munnar often come to the farms and offer better prices,” says Sasi Chini, an apple farmer.
“Farmers at Kanthallur had traditionally grown a variety of fruits. However, apple is the main attraction of the visitors to the farms. The climatic and soil conditions are suited for almost all fruits,” Mr. Chini says. A few farmers started apple cultivation on an experimental level nearly 15 years ago and their success prompted many others to shift to apple farming.
“If the climatic conditions and prices are favourable, it is the most remunerative fruit crop,” he says adding that the shelf life of apple is longer when compared to other fruits. “Moreover, there is not much price fluctuation and the market is almost steady for apple,” Mr. Chini added.
