Garlic cultivation has officially begun across the misty hill regions of Vattavada in Idukki district after the arrival of much-awaited summer showers, bringing renewed hope to farmers who had delayed sowing this season due to the lack of rain.
Farmers in Vattavada, Koviloor and Chilanthiyar, along with tribal settlements including Swamiyar Ala, Kudallar, Mulavallam, Vayalthara and Vatsapetti, have now actively started planting garlic bulbs across large stretches of farmland. Before sowing begins, the fields are carefully levelled into stepped formations suited to the hilly terrain, after which garlic cloves are planted into the moist soil.
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Traditionally, garlic cultivation in Vattavada begins during April. However, this year, farmers were hesitant to start sowing as the region did not receive the usual summer rains at the expected time. With rainfall finally improving over the past few weeks, cultivation activities have resumed nearly one-and-a-half months later than the normal farming calendar.
Over the past few years, a growing number of farmers in Vattavada and neighbouring Kanthalloor have shifted away from conventional vegetable farming and turned increasingly towards garlic cultivation. The decision has largely been driven by the strong market demand and premium pricing enjoyed by fresh garlic produced in these high-range regions.
Dry garlic from the area had fetched exceptionally high prices of nearly ₹400 to ₹500 per kilogram until around two years ago. Although market prices dipped during the last two cultivation seasons, farmers say dry garlic still continues to fetch between ₹250 and ₹350 per kilogram, making it a comparatively profitable crop for many growers in the region.
Vattavada garlic, locally known as “Mulambundu,” has also earned recognition under the Geographical Indication (GI) tag system protected by the central government’s Intellectual Property laws. The GI status highlights the unique quality, flavour and cultivation characteristics associated specifically with garlic grown in the high-altitude climate of Vattavada and surrounding areas.
With favourable rains now supporting cultivation activities, farmers remain hopeful that this year’s garlic season will bring both a healthy harvest and stable market returns.
