The initiative not only boosts local production, but also increases the income of participating farmers and provides consumers with quality, pesticide-free products. | Photo credit: FILE PHOTO
Kudumbashree farmer groups across the state have started harvesting watermelons grown on 758 acres of land as part of the ‘Venal Madhuram’ this year.
The farmer groups, called Joint Liability Groups (JLGs), have so far recorded a turnover of ₹6.78 crore, almost double the turnover of ₹3.8 crore last year. This is the third year that watermelons have been grown as part of JLG’s seasonal growing cycle from December to May. A total of 4,272 Kudumbashree members in 1,024 JLGs across 501 Community Development Societies (CDS), the top tier of the three-tiered Kudumbashree network, are cultivating watermelons in 14 districts.
Watermelons are available in red, yellow and seedless categories. Cultivated varieties include Kiran, Maharaja, Sugar Baby, Apoorva, Sugar Queen, Jubilee King, Yellow Manja and Orange Delight.
A maximum of ₹25,000 is made available to JLGs capable of cultivating watermelons on at least one acre as a revolving fund through CDS for field preparation and purchase of planting material.
The crop is ready to harvest in 56-65 days. Watermelon harvest is underway in most districts. Malappuram district, which has the maximum cultivated area at 116.97 acres, has so far produced more than 5.5 lakh kg, recording a turnover of nearly ₹ 1 crore. In Thrissur, where 62.2 acres are cultivated, the turnover was ₹ 0.80.2 lakh, and in Kottayam, where watermelon is grown on 56.01 acres, the turnover was nearly ₹ 50 lakh.
Due to very high temperatures this summer, there has been a significant increase in demand for watermelons, says S. Shanavas, State Program Director, Kudumbashree’s Farm Livelihood vertical. Consumers bought fruits directly from the farms or from Kudumbashree’s Nattuchanthas and other markets because of Kudumbashree’s reputation of offering quality products without pesticides. Farmers are also getting a good price for the produce – ₹24 per kg against those in the market who fetch ₹20 per kg, he points out.
Mr. Shanavas said that since the farming groups follow the guidelines given by the Kudumbashree for the cultivation of watermelons, consumers can be sure that the farm produce will be fresh without the injection of any additives such as dyes or the use of too much fertiliser.
The aim of Kudumbashree is not only to increase local watermelon production but also to increase the income of JLG members and attract more neighborhood groups to farming.
Published – 08 May 2026 21:00 IST
