KOCHI: Vazhakulam, a small town between Muvattupuzha and Thodupuzha, has been a horticulture destination for the sweet and juicy pineapples it produces. The pineapples cultivated here have received geographical indication (GI) and the place is often termed ‘pineapple city’. But, the crippling effect of demonetisation and scorching summer heat portends a bad time for the farmers in the region. ‘Kochi Express’ reporter Saumesh Thimbath and photographer Albin Mathew take a trip to the farms in and around Vazhakulam
Summer may affect yield
At Perumamkandam, a small hamlet lying 10 km from Vazhakulam, Rajan and Sasi look after a 100 acre plot of pineapples. While a major part of the plot is owned by people who are not directly involved in agriculture, the two locals have been looking after the crop for years. While Rajan, a local, owns a few acres here, Pala-native Sasi has been looking after the plot on behalf of its owner for over two decades now.
“This had been a rubber plantation when I came here. Pineapple cultivation started more than a decade ago. There have been lean years but never has the business gone without earning a profit,” says Sasi. Due to the wider spread of the plot, the investment per kilogram is lesser for the farm compared to the smaller units in the locality and the effect of demonetisation also has not been very huge on this farm.
However, the biggest problem that is staring at the fate of this year’s pineapple yield is the scorching summer. “Summer is harsher this year and will have an impact on the yield.
Though pineapple can grow in any climate, direct sunlight and extreme heat can prove harmful to the fruit,” says Rajan. He said they bought coconut leaves worth Rs 60,000 from Kambam and Theni in Tamil Nadu to protect the fruits from direct sunlight.
“Small farmers can make do with leaves or other things, but considering the spread of this farm such measures are insufficient.”
Another problem is irrigation. “This place faces water shortage. Watering the plants in summer is a big issue. Nowadays, we bring water in 1,000 litres tankers, mix the water with fertilisers and apply it to the leaves,” says Rajan.
Demonetisation leaves a sour taste
It was in 2010 that neighbours Rajan and George decided to partner up to cultivate pineapple riding on the expansion in business after the GI recognition. They started cultivation on a patch near George’s rubber plantation in Kumaramangalam, 13 km from Vazhakulam. With rubber prices nose-diving, the duo decided use the rest of the one-acre plot for pineapple cultivation.
The crop yielded good harvest and the business was profitable. In 2015, the price of pineapple dipped to as low as Rs 13 per kilogram. But it soon recovered and by the next year, it went up to as high as Rs 32 per kilo. Since summer is the time when the demand for pineapples shoots taking the price up with it, the duo were expecting a good year ahead.
“Demonetisation came as a big blow to us. We were unable to pay our workers during the period since currency was in short supply. Since our farm is comparatively smaller and our workers work at other farms as well, it was a distressing period for us. We had to postpone our harvest due to the lack of cash flow. Even after we sold our produce in the market, we had to wait for two to three weeks for the money from the sale,” says Rajan.
The situation has eased at present, but is yet to become as smooth as it was before. “Currently we are selling at a rate of Rs 22 per kilo. This time last year, we sold at Rs 30. We hope the rate will increase in the coming months,” George remains hopeful.