These farmers in Palakkad prove agriculture too can produce millionaires

Residents of Elevancherry, an agricultural village in Palakkad district, have hit the jackpot – not from lottery tickets, but by engaging in vegetable farming. One among them, R Sivadas, a 52-year-old farmer in Elevancherry, earned Rs one crore from selling vegetables last year, bringing the village to the attention of the agricultural community in Kerala. Similarly, eight other farmers in the village sold vegetables worth Rs 50 lakh to Rs one crore.

There are around 300 families engaged in vegetable cultivation in Elevancherry and their total sales amounted to over Rs 16 crore in 2024. These achievements are the result of collective efforts carried out in the village since 1996 by the farmers’ self-help group under the Vegetable and Fruit Promotion Council Keralam (VFPCK).

5,000 tonnes of yield
Almost all varieties of vegetables, including ash gourd, snake gourd, long beans, bitter gourd, ridge gourd and pumpkin, are cultivated in Elaevancherry, making it Kerala’s largest traditional vegetable-producing area. Around 5,000 tonnes of vegetables are produced in Elevancherry, where a majority of farmers belong to the 20-50 age group. In addition to farming on their own land, leased land is also utilized by farmers to grow vegetables. They have also extended the agricultural activities to nearby panchayats.

The harvested crop is purchased by buyers who arrive in Elevancherry from all districts and sold in self-help markets across the state. The village also receives visitors from other parts of the state who are keen to learn the agricultural practices there. Farmers in Elevancherry have achieved these results despite limited support from the government for commercial vegetable farming.

A collective effort
The main reason for the success of vegetable farming in Elevancherry is the collective effort of the farmers in all activities – from preparing the soil to selling the yield. Moreover, even while diligently following all traditional agricultural practices, the farmers are keen to try modern techniques. By strictly implementing the established methods, the farmers are able to reduce the expenditure on irrigation and fertilizers. As distribution of water and fertilizer is systematic, farmers can also dedicate more time for pest control.

Most of the farms in Elevancherry have permanent pavilions, as temporary structures cause more expenditure in the long run. Farmers also use seeds and saplings of the best quality to maximize yield.

The harvested vegetables are procured by various groups under the vast network of VFPCK. Apart from the profits, the farmers also share the losses caused by unsold vegetables equally.
Yet another speciality of farming in Elevancherry is the planting of crops after examining the results of the soil tests.

Farmers’ demands
While any village in Kerala could emulate the Elevancherry model, the farmers there say that they could further increase the yield with proper government support, for which they want ministers to visit their place. The main demands of the farmers in Elevancherry to the government include:

• Implement the goal of ‘Hi-tech vegetable village’ announced in 2014.
• Build good roads, as hundreds of trucks reach the village.
• A supply chain, with facilities to store vegetables without damage.
• A solution to the threat posed by wild animals.
• Support to find water sources for irrigation.
• Extend programmes for agriculture announced by the Central-state governments to the village.
• Offer solutions to crop loss caused by climate change.
• Aid to meet rising expenses on lease amounts and labourers’ wages.

According to experts, Elevancherry is a storehouse of traditional vegetables which are in high demand in Kerala. Moreover, the farmers belonging to the young age group are willing to work hard. However, they still need support from all stakeholders related to agriculture in the state.

Contact number
Farmers in Elevancherry can be contacted over 9778223138, which is the phone number of Elevancherry Swasraya Karshika Samithy (Elevancherry farmers’ self-help group).