How avocado changed the fortunes of this Kerala farmer

Joseph Uppenmakkal, alias Kuttichan, is a farmer at the core of his heart. Though this 62-year-old farmer from Idukki in Kerala has been farming different vegetables since a young age, it was his daring venture into avocado cultivation six years ago that changed his fortunes.

Kuttichan learned about avocado from one of his friends a few years back. But he was skeptical about farming it because he wasn’t sure how this foreign fruit would fare in the climate of his native place, Melechinnar.

After conducting a thorough study about this fruit, Kuttichan decided to give it a try. Today, Kuttichan stands as a testament to the transformative power of determination and adaptability in the face of agricultural challenges.

He is now making lakhs in profit from his five acres of avocado farm. “I wasn’t sure how this fruit would yield returns. But my efforts soon bore fruit as the avocado orchards flourished, yielding bountiful harvests four years after planting,” Kuttichan told “Open Digest.”

Scripting success in the first harvest, he honed his expertise, learning the intricacies of avocado cultivation and fine-tuned his approach to maximize productivity and quality. “It takes four to five years for an avocado tree to bear fruits. We can harvest 100 kg of avocado fruits from a fully grown avocado tree twice a year,” he said, adding that there is a huge demand for avocado fruits in the market, and he has tied up with different companies for the supply of avocado fruits.

Kuttichan adds that compared to other vegetables, the input cost for avocado cultivation was much less. “On average, we only need to spend Rs 4,000 per year to maintain an avocado tree,” he added.

His willingness to embrace change has not only transformed his own livelihood but has also inspired others in the community to explore alternative avenues for agricultural growth.

“Avocado farming is new for me. But seeing the fruits of my labor pay off has been immensely rewarding. With demand for avocados continuing to soar both domestically and internationally, I am optimistic about the future of avocado farming in Idukki,” he added.