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Mountain Garlic is cultivated from November to December.
The garlic farming is abundantly grown in the Poomparai village of Kodaikanal.
Kodaikanal is one of the popular tourist destinations in Dindigul district in the state of Tamil Nadu. From Bear Shola Falls to Dolphin’s Nose, there are several tourist spots in Kodaikanal, which attract visitors each season. Although Kodaikanal is mostly dependent on the tourism industry, agriculture also holds an important part in the city’s economy. Among several plantations, garlic farming is also a widely accepted agricultural practice in the Poombarai village in Kodaikanal. It is 3000 years old. Agriculture is the main livelihood of the people living here.
Vegetables like potatoes, carrots, garlic, beans and cabbage are cultivated here. All the vegetables produced here are taken to Vadugapatti village, from where it is exported to other states. One farmer, who cultivates garlic, named Kamaraj shared the reason for the abundant garlic farming in the area. “Agriculture is the source of livelihood for 98 percent of the people here. Here we grow potatoes, beans, carrots, garlic etc. There are a lot of wild elephants and wild boars here, which do not eat garlic, so garlic farming is very popular,” said Kamaraj.
Two varieties of garlic are grown in this region. One is called Mountain Garlic, which is harvested from November to December, said another farmer named Riaz. Another known is Mettupalayam Garlic, which is cultivated between June and July. It takes three months to produce. The garlic produced here is taken to Vadugapatti and from there, it is exported to other states. “This year the weather is good so the yield is good and there is no major loss,” Riaz added.
Apart from its rich garlic plantations, agriculture in Kodaikanal involves the cultivation of various fruits and vegetables. Kodaikanal is well known for its fruit orchards. In the orchards of Kodaikanal, fruits like pears, peaches, grapes and plums are grown in abundance. Kodaikanal is one of the largest producers of potatoes in the state. The fruits and vegetables grown in Kodaikanal are in great demand for their freshness and high quality.