Kanthallur, nestled in the Western Ghats, is a gram panchayat in Idukki district of Kerala. The pleasant climate and the picturesque landscapes, as well as its close proximity to Munnar, a major hill station, has transformed this village into a tourist destination. Now it has created a place of its own in farm tourism.
Famous for its wide variety of crops, which is not seen in other parts of Kerala, Kanthallur is the only place in South India where apples are grown. Known as the vegetable bowl of the state, other fruits grown in this small area include different varieties of orange, strawberry, blackberry, plums, gooseberry, egg fruits, peach, and passion fruits. Though the soil and climate conditions here are suitable for apple cultivation, the production depends on weather conditions. If the temperature drops below 0°C in the winter, apple production is better. The average temperature favourable to apple farming in Kanthallur is between 3° C and 15° C. July and August are the prime apple months. Apple trees shed leaves in January and new leaves and flowers emerge by February. The majority of the fruit ripens by the end of July.
Unlike oranges, which have been cultivated here for decades, farmers moved to apple cultivation just about a decade ago with Kashmiri species such as Tropical Beauty and Parle Beauty. Kanthallur apples are cultivated organically; the fruits are juicier and sweeter than imported ones. Although apple constitutes only a small per cent of the total area under fruit crops, it is the most valued cash crop cultivated in the region and is known for its quality. Now, more farmers are taking up apple cultivation. Currently, around five hectares of land are under apple cultivation and they are mainly grown in Kulachivalayil, Keezhanthoor, Perumala, and Puthur areas, under Kanthallur panchayat, and in some parts of Marayur as well.
Around 100–150 trees can be cultivated on an acre of land, from which 3,000–4,500 kg of apple can be harvested. If climatic conditions are favourable, 50–80 kg can be harvested from a healthy tree. Apples harvested from Kanthallur are smaller in size and colourless compared to the large, bright, dark brown apples imported from other parts of the country. So, farmers here directly sell their produce in the fruit markets at Marayur, Kanthallur, and Munnar, and to tourists visiting their farms.
Tourists visiting the area prefer apples which they can pluck from the trees as they walk around the orchards. The visitors can also directly buy the apples from the farmers who can command better prices at the farm gate than in the market. It is an additional income to the farmers, for tourists who taste it also purchase it and pay better. Orange is the other attraction for the tourists visiting the orchards in Kanthallur.