Blond cucumber proves profitable in Thrissur, yields ₹40–₹50 per kg in short cycle

Thrissur: Blond cucumber, locally known as pottuvellari or snap melon, is emerging as a climate-resilient farming success at Kathikkodu in Thrissur. The crop is being raised on 2.5 acres of leased land by farmer PR Saseendran of Panikkaveettil, offering a promising alternative amid changing weather conditions.

Saseendran sourced seeds from local farmers around six weeks ago, nurtured the saplings and cultivated the crop using organic manure. The initiative has delivered encouraging results, with the harvest drawing strong demand.

The crop has a short harvesting cycle of about 50 days. This marks the third consecutive year of blond cucumber cultivation in the area, reflecting its growing acceptance among farmers and consumers alike. The produce is sold directly from the farm and is often purchased immediately upon harvest, fetching prices between ₹40 and ₹50 per kilogram.

So far, around 500 kg of snap melon has been sold from the farm, with local vendors regularly arriving to purchase the produce. The fruit is particularly in demand in coastal regions during peak summer, when temperatures soar.

Saseendran is also receiving technical support from the Krishi Bhavan. According to him, blond cucumber cultivation is significantly more profitable than many other conventional crops, making it an attractive option for farmers.