“Onam is just 60 days away and people can start growing vegetables and flowers to be ready in time for the festival,” says Lisymol J. Vadukkoot, Assistant Director of Agriculture at the State Seed Farm (SSF) in Aluva.
The farm has launched a Thiruvonam assorted seedling tray (priced at ₹300), which has 98 cubicles containing the saplings of vegetables and fruits essential for the festival. On sale at the Eco Shop at the Metro Rail Station Aluva, it contains eight varieties of vegetables (brinjal, bitter gourd, tomatoes, pumpkin, chillies, and lady’s finger) and four to five varieties of flowers (marigold, chrysanthemum, and bachelor’s button). “It required planning to put it together,” says Lisy, adding that “it has received a thumping response.” She advises buyers to sow right away, as the thiruvathira njatuvella (the best time for planting), according to the Malayalam calendar, has just concluded (July 5).
I decide to visit the farm and meet Lisy at an interior road, a few kilometres from Desom Junction. Accessible only by boat, the farm is flanked by the Periyar and its rivulet, the Thoombathode. Spread over 13 acres, the land primarily produces seeds for paddy cultivation. It also houses a rice museum and plots for farm tourism.
