Harvest of castor bean is in full swing in Pachamalai hills in the district, with farm labourers working overtime to pluck the ripe seeds. The oil seed is generally grown as an intercrop on the boundaries of tapioca farms. The tribal farmers use the local seeds for raising the crop.
According to Agriculture Department sources, the Uppilliyapuram block, which encompasses Pachamalai hills, is well suited for oil seed cultivation because of the abundance of red loamy soil.
Shrinking area
At present, only about 40 hectares of land is under castor seed cultivation compared to 200 hectares of land under cultivation a decade ago.
Officials attribute the drop in cultivation to the increasing popularity of Bt cotton cultivation.
The average castor seed yield per plant is about 2 kg.
The seeds should be plucked immediately after adequate growth as “it will burst if the harvest is delayed,” farmers said pointing to the close vigil they have to keep during the harvest period.
Women farm workers harvest the crop and dry it before separating the beans.
Private oil mills buy these castor beans from traders in Uppilliyapuram market.
