Idukki :

‘Anti-cancer’ vegetable Broccoli is being cultivated in West Kodikulam, a sleepy village  near Thodupuzha, by a small-time farmer named Jose.

The news of Jose Vattakkadu becoming the first farmer to successfully cultivate the crop in the district has thrilled people in the neighbourhood. “People are thronging my 15-cent farm in large numbers to have a glimpse of it,” Jose told ‘Express.’

“Broccoli is a great source of indole-3-carbinol, which boosts DNA repair in cells, and blocks the growth of cancer cells. The vegetable grows only between the months of October and March, and at least two crops can be cultivated during this period,” he said.

Jose has successfully cultivated 100 broccolis, each weighing over one kg. However, some of them wilted away. “The vegetable costs about Rs 200 per kg in supermarkets. As I was thrilled about growing it, I distributed them among neighbours and relatives,” he said.

Another farmer, 70-year-old Jose Cheruparambil who lives in West Kodikulam, said he was planning to start broccoli farming in October this year.

“At present, I have only 50 cents of land, in which I am already growing beans, cauliflower, cabbage and other vegetables. I am looking for land on lease so that I can take up broccoli farming in a big way. It is said to be costing about Rs 250 per kg in metros. If I get Rs 100 per kg in Thodupuzha it will be a good price,” he said.

The Vegetable and Fruit Promotion Council Kerala  (VFPCK) had made an unsuccessful attempt to cultivate broccoli at Erattayar near Kattappana. Jose, who cultivates vegetables, tapioca and plantain on his 50-cent land and 75 cents of leased land, is planning to continue with broccoli farming provided he gets seeds from the government. “Ten grams of seeds cost `2,000, which is too much. Using ten grams of seeds, about 2000 broccolis could be grown,” Jose, who is a member of VFPCK, said. “Once harvested, the crop sprouts from the roots of the earlier plant. Therefore, there is no need to sow seeds every time. My experience has encouraged others to take up broccoli farming. But, the government should come forward to provide the seeds free,” he said, adding that many people were not aware of the medicinal value of broccoli and its role in fighting cancer. Once awareness is created in this regard, there would be tremendous demand for the product.

VFPCK assistant manager Litty Thomas, who has been assigned to proliferate broccoli farming in the district, said that it was encouraging that broccoli could be grown in Idukki. “The VFPCK will hold discussions with regard to  extending help to more farmers in the district for growing broccoli,” she said.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Kerala / by P .B. Jaysankar / March 09th, 2015