Important Role in the Economy: Kodaikanal is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu state. Kodaikanal has many tourist spots from Bear Shola Falls to Dolphin’s Nose, which attract tourists in every season. Although Kodaikanal mainly depends on the tourism industry, agriculture also plays an important role in the economy of the city. Among the various plantations, garlic cultivation is also a widely accepted agricultural practice in Poombarai village of Kodaikanal. It is 3000 years old. Agriculture is the main livelihood of the people living here. Vegetables like potatoes, carrots, garlic, beans and cabbage are grown here. All the vegetables grown here are taken to Vadugapatti village from where they are exported to other states. A garlic farmer named Kamaraj shared the reason for the abundant cultivation of garlic in the area. “Agriculture is the livelihood of 98 percent of the people here. Here we grow potatoes, beans, carrots, garlic etc. There are many elephants and wild boars here who do not eat garlic, so garlic cultivation is very popular,
” Kamaraj said. Two species of garlic are grown in the region. One is called mountain garlic and is harvested from November to December, said another farmer named Riyaz. Another famous garlic is Mettupalayam garlic, which is grown between June and July. It takes three months to prepare it. The garlic produced here is transported to Vadugapatti and from there it is exported to other states. “The weather is good this year, so the performance is good and there is no major loss,” said Riyaz. Apart from its rich garlic plantations, agriculture in Kodaikanal includes cultivation of various fruits and vegetables. Kodaikanal is famous for its fruit gardens. Fruits like pears, peaches, grapes and plums are grown in abundance in the gardens of Kodaikanal. Kodaikanal is one of the largest potato producers in the state. Fruits and vegetables grown in Kodaikanal are in high demand due to their freshness and high quality.
