The areas around Thodupuzha town and the neighbouring villages are fertile, although much of it is hilly and slopy . In this land, the hard working people of Thodupuzha sow their sweat along with the seeds. They raise a number of crops – rubber, coconuts, rice, pepper, coco, arecanuts, nutmeg, cashew, topioca, bananas, ginger, pineapple, turmeric, etc. Teak and mangium trees are found universally in all homesteads. since the irrigation facilities available in Thodupuzha area are scanty, the farmers find it  difficult to try other crops or to extend the present area under cultivation.

Colocasia esculenta, taro is a herbaceous plant from old world tropics,(commonly known as Chempu in Malayalam) with thick tuber (underground stem) containing much starch; cultivated for food for many centuries. Taro must be cooked to destroy the acrid crystals of calcium oxalate found in all parts of the plant. The colocasia is a crop of tropical and sub-tropical regions and requires a warm humid climate. Under rainfed conditions, it requires a fairly well distributed rainfall around 120-150 cm during the growth period. Well-drained soil is suitable for uniform development of tubers.. Inter-cultivation is essential in colocasia. Weeding, light hoeing and earthing up are required at 30-45 days and 60-75 days after planting. The leafy parts may be smothered about one month before harvest so as to enhance tuber development.

Colocasia becomes ready for harvest five to six months after planting. The mother corms and side tubers are separated after harvest. Ensure sufficient moisture in the soil at the time of planting. For uniform sprouting, irrigate just after planting and one week later. Subsequent irrigation may be given at 12-15 days intervals, depending on the moisture retention capacity of the soil.

The side tubers to be used as planting materials are usually separated from the mother corm and stored. Keep seed tuber in sand spread over the floor to avoid rotting.

As you travel across the green landscape of God’s Own Country on Kerala tours, with Kerala Backwater you’re sure to see acres of land covered with Rubber plantations. These green zones are a beautiful sight for the visiting tourist in Kerala and are also a vital part of the economy of Kerala.

Kerala is the leader in rubber production among the states of India. In Kerala major part of rubber is produced from thodupuzha. The rubber plantations are also opening their doors to tourists on Kerala tours who would like to see, a traditional way of life and experience a stay in a rural retreat. The quiet, green, environment of the rubber plantations of Kerala are a fascinating eco tourism option among Kerala tours with Kerala Backwater.

Stay at a traditional farmhouse in a rubber plantation in Kerala on eco tourism vacations and tours of Kerala with Kerala Backwater. Enjoy the hospitality of the plantations, go for nature walks and observe the birds, butterflies and squirrels amidst the plants in the rubber plantations in Kerala.