Foreign fruit finds its way to Kanthalloor farm

Ramaraj, a tribal farmer, at his Pepino Melon farm at Nellippettykudi tribal settlement in Idukki. (Source: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT)

Kanthalloor, known for its extensive cultivation of cool-season vegetables and fruits in the State, has expanded its repertoire by successfully growing Pepino Melon (Solanum muricatum), locally known as sweet cucumber. The Forest department officials identified the fruit during a recent visit to a tribal settlement in Nellippettykudi, part of the Marayur Sandal division.

Marayur Sandal Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) M.G. Vinod Kumar said that during a tribal produce market auction, a new crop received minimal attention and there was no demand for it. The Forest department then bought the produce and took it to the ‘Ila’ provisions store managed by it.