Trellis farming increases profits for flood-prone Mayiladuthurai farmers

Nursery Today 02-Aug-2025

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Mayiladuthurai: Farmers in the Kollidam block of Mayiladuthurai district are taking a lot of interest in trellis-based farming under the Permanent Pandal Scheme. The scheme is being supported by the Horticulture Department. This method is beneficial, especially in flood-prone areas, as it offers a steady and lucrative substitute to traditional crops.

This initiative has helped farmers to grow vegetables such as bitter gourd, snake gourd, ribbed gourd, and bottle gourd on trellis structures. They can also intercrop with chilli and jasmine flowers. The district administration has been promoting this method of farming so that small and marginal farmers can boost their production and profit as well.

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M. Selvaraj, a farmer from Muthalimedu Thittu, said horticulture officers visit on a regular basis, helping him learn best practices. “Flooding is common in our village, but with these crops, I get a steady income,” he said. He now grows jasmine, bitter gourd, and drumstick through the trellis method.

S. Kalaichelvam, Horticulture Officer, said the Kollidam area is packed with fertile soil. “While normal areas produce about 400 kg, here the yield rate is up to 600 kg due to rich silt,” he explained.

P. Chandra Kavitha, Deputy Director of Horticulture, said the subsidy for the scheme has risen from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 3 lakh per hectare this year.

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