Hass Becomes the High Range’s New Craze
The success story of Fruits Valley Company in Kumbanpara is now closely tied to the Mexican native variety ready for harvest.
About 200 farmers have started efforts to create an alternative income source through Fruits Valley, a company based in Adimali, by extensively cultivating avocado, which is often referred to as butter fruit.
Although avocado cultivation is widespread in many parts of Kerala, there has been no mechanism to collect the produce and market it properly. Farmers get their price from the agents who come from Tamil Nadu. Fruits Valley’s aim is to commercialize the cultivation of butter fruit in a systematic way and increase the value of its produce.
It is in this context that this new company is being established by farmers.
Even though it is one of the most popular fruits in the world, not all varieties give good yield in all climates. It was a big challenge to find a variety that would grow well and yield well. Although there are signs that avocado cultivation has been spreading in Kerala for a long time, the lack of quality planting material is what has held farmers back.
Our climate is suitable for fruit cultivation. The success of the trial cultivation in Adimali and Kumbanpara by the company called Fruits Valley, which was formed as a result of the efforts of agricultural lovers, gives hope.
The finding of Fruits Valley Company is that the Mexican Hass variety of avocado, which is popular in the world market, is suitable for commercial cultivation in the High Range. This is a finding after progressive thinking.
Fruits Valley estate in Anayirangal.
The company started an organically certified farm with a variety of activities. This farm is located in Manaloram, Anayirangal. The main activity is avocado cultivation.
In August 2022, this farm was started in association with Mannoor Manaloram St. Joseph’s Church, Idukki. Based in Adimali, the company prepared the farm by providing 400 saplings of international quality from a national-level nursery.
You can see the beautiful sights of the farm prepared with the saplings. It is a picturesque farm at an altitude of 2500 feet above sea level.
Varieties of Hass avocado like Pinkerton, Reed, Fuerte, etc. have been planted here. In addition, there are also mangoes of Kajoor, Chikkamagaluru, Vayanad, Pitca varieties and indigenous trees that were brought from various states.
To make the farm self-sufficient, all kinds of leafy vegetables and tubers are grown organically.
In four years, the farm will have a good harvest. Joby Joseph says that this is a Mexican Hass variety.
An avocado sapling is protected with shade.
It is estimated that one tree will yield an average of 3000-5000 rupees. The company is preparing these saplings based on the production in the previous seasons.
Joby Joseph says that if the fruits are sold with value addition, there is a huge market for them. Organically grown fruits from high-altitude areas fetch a good price. The fruits here have an average weight of 200 grams.
The Mexican Hass variety gives a good yield in the High Range climate. This means it is profitable. Some varieties fruit even in the first year. It fruits well in the third year. Thousands of saplings brought from Vietnam are now under the care of the company.
The Mexican Hass variety of avocado starts to fruit in the second year. It will start to flower in one and a half years. The fruit will be fully grown in another one and a half years. Half of the fruits will be harvested in the fourth year. The remaining half will be harvested in the fifth year.
George Paily Benny from Thamarassery says that when he started organic farming after constructing his house, he got an average of 15 kilograms per tree. The company’s hope is to bring the fruits produced here to the market through a brand called Hass. We have already made some progress in this regard.
Rambutan Too Now Has Crop Insurance
The state government has included fruit crops like rambutan, avocado, passion fruit, dragon fruit, guava, litchi, sapota, papaya, and mango under its crop insurance scheme.
For crops like rambutan, sapota, guava, passion fruit, dragon fruit, avocado, and litchi, the premium is Rs 5 per tree. The compensation is Rs 500 per tree.
For a mango tree, the premium is Rs 10 for one year and Rs 25 if paid together for 3 years.
Mango trees will not receive compensation for crop loss due to disease or pests. Compensation will now be available.
A mango tree up to 10 years old will get Rs 1000, and one older than that will get Rs 2000 as compensation.
Here, avocado is cultivated organically. Climate change affects the growth of many crops. Therefore, avocado should be cultivated in places with good drainage. The climate in our country is suitable. It can be grown better in winter. Fertile soil and organic fertilizers are mainly used.
Two varieties of Hass avocado, which are suitable for our climate, are grown here. These are the Anam and Pinkerton varieties. They are being grown at an altitude of 2000 feet above sea level.
During the signing of the MoU between MG University and Fruits Valley Company regarding the Avocado Research Center.
The company is being led by a group of Malayalis from Adimali. Its aim is to provide an alternative income for the local farmers. The company is also implementing a project to plant one lakh avocado saplings.
It has been found that the Hass variety, which is the most cultivated and used in the world, is suitable for our climate. The company aims to make quality saplings available to farmers. There is a huge potential for value-added products made from avocado. The company plans to market these products domestically and internationally.
This project will become a big asset for Adimali. A nursery has been started within 30 minutes from the town. It is 20 minutes from Adimali to the Eighth Mile. From there, it is another 20 minutes to the nursery. The Hass avocado is 18 months old.
Fruits Valley’s Farm House and Guest House.
Fruits Valley Company directors Baby P. Antony and Director Joby Joseph.
The company has also started a marketing chain for the products produced by its members. Joby Joseph from Angamaly and Baby P. Antony from Arakkunnam, who have been working in the marketing field for a long time, are the directors.
The company plans to provide all necessary support to the farmers, starting from planting the saplings to marketing the produce. The Hass variety is being cultivated on a large scale in Coorg, Karnataka. The company is confident that by cultivating the varieties suitable for our climate here, a good market can be found.
Keeping bees in avocado orchards for pollination will help the trees to flower even before a year. It will also help in producing more fruits.
This year, the company expects more farmers to be part of the project. Joby says that the company will provide all the necessary technical support to the farmers who are interested in cultivating the Hass variety.
🔬 Research Push With Universities
The company is moving forward with an emphasis on research. It has received acceptance for its efforts to conduct further research with the cooperation of universities. The company has prepared a model for a comprehensive research center.
Jose Joseph, who is the Registrar of MG University, says that a project has been prepared for research on avocado. A model for a research center has been prepared in Kumpanpara. The company will also provide technical support for value-added products and their marketing. An agreement has also been reached with Kanthalloor Krishi Vigyan Kendra.
The company is prepared to join hands with the state government to make Kerala a major state in fruit cultivation. The company has also set up a system to provide high-quality saplings to farmers. Fruits Valley is expanding with the aim of planting 100 acres.
Contact: 7559930375 Abin
Is Hass avocado suitable for cultivation in Kerala’s High Range?
Fruits Valley Company has found that the Mexican Hass variety of avocado, which is popular in the world market, is suitable for commercial cultivation in the High Range. Trial cultivation in Adimali and Kumbanpara has given hope, especially because the climate is suitable for fruit cultivation and the variety gives good yield in High Range conditions.
When does Mexican Hass avocado start fruiting?
The Mexican Hass variety of avocado starts to fruit in the second year. It will start to flower in one and a half years, and the fruit will be fully grown in another one and a half years. Half of the fruits will be harvested in the fourth year, while the remaining half will be harvested in the fifth year.
How much income can one Hass avocado tree give?
According to the estimate mentioned by Fruits Valley, one tree will yield an average of 3000-5000 rupees. George Paily Benny from Thamarassery also says that after starting organic farming, he got an average of 15 kilograms per tree. Income can improve further if fruits are sold with value addition.
Which Hass avocado varieties are being grown by Fruits Valley?
Varieties of Hass avocado like Pinkerton, Reed, Fuerte, etc. have been planted at the Anayirangal farm. Two varieties of Hass avocado suitable for the local climate, Anam and Pinkerton, are also being grown at an altitude of 2000 feet above sea level.
What farming conditions are recommended for avocado cultivation?
Avocado is cultivated organically at Fruits Valley. Since climate change affects many crops, avocado should be grown in places with good drainage. Fertile soil and organic fertilizers are mainly used. The climate in the country is suitable, and avocado can be grown better in winter, especially in suitable High Range locations.
Does crop insurance cover avocado in Kerala?
Yes. The state government has included avocado along with rambutan, passion fruit, dragon fruit, guava, litchi, sapota, papaya, and mango under its crop insurance scheme. For crops like avocado, rambutan, guava, sapota, passion fruit, dragon fruit, and litchi, the premium is Rs 5 per tree and the compensation is Rs 500 per tree.
How is Fruits Valley supporting avocado farmers?
Fruits Valley plans to provide support from planting saplings to marketing the produce. The company aims to make quality saplings available to farmers, has started a marketing chain for member products, and expects more farmers to join the Hass avocado project with technical support from the company.
