by K.A. Shaji, The Hindu
When it was established way back in 1943 by the Maharaja of erstwhile Cochin, the Government Orange and Vegetable Farm here aimed at supplementing fruit and vegetable supplies for the injured soldiers of World War II.
The oranges grown in the hills those days were famous for their sweetness and small size.
Though the quality and yield of Nelliyampathy oranges have fallen over the years, the farm is still attracting fruit lovers who flock this part of the Western Ghats. Now, the yellow passion fruit and the value-added products made out of it are now turning out be a major hit among the tourists.
Spread over 339.12 hectares of land, the farm is emerging as a major tourist attraction. It also operates a retail outlet where 91 different varieties of fruit-based products, including jams and jellies, are available. “All our products are being sold through the single outlet in Nelliyampathy. With people showing renewed interest in passion fruit-based products, we recently started cultivation in 17 acres. We began with squashes and syrups from passion fruit. Two weeks ago, we started production of pickle and jelly from the shell of these yellow fruits,’’ said farm superintendent E.K. Yusuf.
The shell of the passion fruit is always considered a waste and discarded mostly. But the farm has won lots of fans for the pickle and jelly made out of the shell. A modern fruit-processing centre is coming up on the farm and with its commissioning in another two months, the products would be made available across the State using Kudumbasree and Krishi Bhavan networks.
Nearly 100 tourists visit the farm daily and also to view the Palakkad Gap of the Western Ghats. The farm lies at an altitude of about 1,050 m above sea level and receives an average annual rainfall of 3,500 mm. The temperature ranges from 12 to 31 degree Celsius.
According to Mr. Yusuf, only 176.35 hectares of the farm are under cultivation and 75.32 hectares are remaining as cultivable wasteland. Coffee was cultivated on 85 acres, he said. There were 5,000 orange trees and a substantial area of the farm came under guava, rough lemon, and rose apple cultivation. Efforts are on to cultivate fruit giving plants in more areas, he said.
Source: The Hindu