Kuravilangad: Despite the ongoing crisis, vegetable production in the district has recorded a significant increase. According to statistics from the Agriculture Development and Farmers’ Welfare Department, cultivation has expanded to more areas. A greater quantity of locally grown vegetables reached the market during this Onam season compared to the previous year. The statistics are as follows:

Vegetable farming
    • Financial Year 2024–25: 6,673 hectares
    • Financial Year 2025–26 (so far): 7,253 hectares (an increase of 679 hectares)

Onam season vegetable farming
    • Financial Year 2024–25: 2,022 hectares
    • Financial Year 2025–26: 2,220 hectares

Production
    • 2024–25: 11,359 tonnes of vegetables
    • 2025–26: 12,917 tonnes      

Stalls at the farm fest organised by the Agriculture Development and Farmers’ Welfare Department at the Kozha District Agriculture Farm recorded sales worth ₹4 lakhs. Vegetable saplings, seeds and fruit tree saplings were sold in large quantities. Around 25,000 vegetable saplings were sold over four days. The number of backyard farms in the district has also increased, with the Agriculture Department estimating 2,22,312 active backyard farms.

Coconut trees witness rise in demand
The demand for coconut trees has also risen. With coconut prices soaring, coconut trees are once again in high demand. The district has seen a surge in requests for coconut tree saplings. Additional saplings were sourced from the Munderi and Eruthiyampathy farms in Malappuram and Palakkad districts, respectively. A total of 38,395 saplings have been distributed in the district so far this year. The Kozha District Agriculture Farm produced 15,500 Kuttyadi saplings, 1,750 hybrid saplings and 2,000 dwarf saplings.

As this supply proved insufficient, 11,215 Kuttyadi saplings and another 7,930 saplings were arranged from the Munderi and Eruthiyampathy farms.

Production meets only 35% of demand
Although vegetable farming has increased compared to previous years, current production meets only 35% of the district’s demand. To bridge this gap, cultivation must be expanded by 600 hectares annually. The Agriculture Deputy Director Regimol Thomas said that projects aimed at achieving this target are being implemented.

The initiative also promotes organic farming. Since production falls short of even half the demand, vegetables are being brought in large quantities from Wayanad, Mysuru, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. However, external supply dropped significantly during this Onam season. This was even discussed in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly. Traders report a decline in vegetable sales. Fewer consumers are purchasing in bulk during the Onam season.

Goal of the agriculture department
A comprehensive vegetable production mission aimed at achieving self-sufficiency in pesticide-free vegetable cultivation.

Last year, 55 varieties of vegetables, including indigenous types, were cultivated across 6,673 hectares. This year, the area has increased by 679 hectares. A budget of ₹7.80 crores has been allocated for the initiative, which is being implemented at the district, block and grama panchayat levels.

The agriculture department has allocated ₹3.80 crore and local bodies ₹4.10 crores for undertaking agriculture. Agricultural activity is higher in the Kaduthuruthy, Pambady, Madappally, Uzhavoor, Vaikom and Ettumanoor blocks.

All fallow land suitable for vegetable farming will be identified and utilised. Around 5,000 hybrid vegetable seed packets worth ₹100 each have been distributed free of cost through VFPCK for backyard farming.

 The distribution of 6 lakh vegetable saplings through Krishi Bhavans is ongoing. An allocation of ₹18 lakhs has been made for the free distribution of seeds and saplings. Additionally, 5,000 seed packets worth ₹10 each have been distributed for backyard farming. An additional fund of ₹35 lakhs has been allocated for establishing 7,000 nutrition farms.