Featured grower: Vijayan, Karuvarakundu, Malappuram.
When Vijayan started collecting fruit varieties on the hillside of Karuvarakundu 22 years ago, the cultivation of foreign fruits did not have much glory in Kerala. It was a love for eating different types of fruits. No, it was a special craze for collecting and planting their saplings that was Vijayan’s favorite hobby.
For a long time, the farmland was mostly a ‘stopper’ rubber plantation. The first foreigner to arrive was the rambutan. It became a trend with the arrival of budded saplings.
A large collection of fruits in Vijayan’s garden.
Abiu and fruits in the orchard.
Vijayan recalls tasting the sweetness of a small fruit while sitting under an African Peanut Butter tree when he went to learn budding training. This paradise with all kinds of fruits is located on the banks of the Kurimadu river on the Kalikavu route in Karuvarakundu.
📍 Location note: The orchard is in Karuvarakundu, Malappuram, on the Kalikavu route and on the banks of the Kurimadu river.
They also provide good production. Besides dates and date palms, a tissue culture date palm brought from the Gulf 12 years ago has also taken root and is bearing fruit in Vijayan’s compound. There are many in the country who have bought and planted rambutan saplings that are now bearing fruit.
There are also many other varieties, both foreign and native, such as the Malaysian variety Pulasan, Abiu, Mamey Sapote, Santol, Ice Cream Bean, and Jaboticaba.
Rambutan
Abiu
Jaboticaba
Mangosteen
Dates
Milk Fruit
Now, the Jaboticaba that has borne fruit in Vijayan’s garden is quite a curiosity. It is a velvet variety that bears fruit in 5 years. It fruits prolifically, like bunches of grapes, on the branches and main trunk of the tree.
There are 18 such varieties in this collection. The budded saplings of this Brazilian native have found a good market. The fruits that grow on the main trunk are very tasty to pluck and eat.
Agrobags grafting for Jaboticaba sapling production.
After Mangosteen, Abiu has a high demand in foreign markets. It is from this that a good income is expected from the Gulf market starting next year. Vijayan’s collection has 16 varieties of Abiu brought from Malaysia over 12 years. There is also the local garden variety Abiu. This too costs 15 rupees per kilo.
Besides these, Mangosteen and Milk Fruit are the other main stars. Since there are good varieties, he will move forward. Vijayan says that farmers can move forward profitably in fruit cultivation. In short, good money can be made.
Currently, varieties like P-18 and Season of Ball are the ones bearing fruit or about to start bearing fruit.
Like mangosteen, Abiu fruits abundantly during the heavy monsoon season.
The pulp is very tasty. The price is not too bad either.
Mangosteen is in good demand this season.
Dates, Rambutan, Mangosteen, Jackfruit, and Pulasan are the main ones sold. These are more popular than mangoes.
There is a special shop to sell foreign fruits. The price went up to 250 rupees for one. It is expected that Abiu can also be sold starting next year. Milk fruit is very tasty to drink as juice after being pressed. A sweet, glue-like liquid will stick in the mouth.
💡 Market point: A habit of Malayalis is increasing the potential for fruits.
If you don’t have your own land to cultivate, you can do it by leasing land. A good income can be earned within 5 years. A lot of adulterated fruits are coming to Kerala from Tamil Nadu. By providing fruits with no toxins at all, a great contribution can also be made to the health sector.
If cared for with love like one’s own children, the trees will not betray us. One must also study specifically for the proper care of each one. When asked if a special market for fruits is not coming, Vijayan’s answer is no.
📞 Contact: 9400480678
What fruits are grown in Vijayan’s Karuvarakundu orchard?
Vijayan’s orchard includes both foreign and native fruit varieties such as rambutan, Malaysian Pulasan, Abiu, Mamey Sapote, Santol, Ice Cream Bean, Jaboticaba, Mangosteen, Milk Fruit, dates, date palms and jackfruit. His collection also includes 16 varieties of Abiu and 18 varieties of Jaboticaba.
Why is Jaboticaba special in Vijayan’s garden?
Jaboticaba is a Brazilian native fruit tree that bears fruits directly on the branches and main trunk, almost like bunches of grapes. In Vijayan’s garden, the velvet variety has borne fruit in 5 years, and budded saplings have found a good market among growers.
Is Abiu cultivation profitable in Kerala?
According to Vijayan, Abiu has high demand in foreign markets after Mangosteen. He expects good income from the Gulf market starting next year. His collection has 16 Abiu varieties brought from Malaysia over 12 years, and varieties like P-18 and Season of Ball are performing well.
Can foreign fruit cultivation be started without owning land?
Vijayan says that if a farmer does not have their own land, cultivation can be done by leasing land. With proper care and variety selection, a good income can be earned within 5 years. Each fruit tree also needs specific study and care.
Which fruits are selling more than mangoes in this orchard?
Dates, Rambutan, Mangosteen, Jackfruit, and Pulasan are the main fruits sold from Vijayan’s collection, and the article notes that these are more popular than mangoes. A special shop is also used to sell foreign fruits from the orchard.
What is the health advantage of local toxin-free fruit cultivation?
The article points out that many adulterated fruits come to Kerala from Tamil Nadu. Vijayan believes that providing fruits with no toxins at all can make a great contribution to the health sector while also creating better opportunities for local farmers.
