A sunflower field steals the show this Onam in Thiruvananthapuram

Meanwhile, a sunflower field steals the show this Onam in Thiruvananthapuram Agripreneur SV Sujith has organised an agri-flower show, Aaravam 2026, on the campus of Marian Educity at Menamkulam, where the highlight is the sunflower field.

Key points

• Sunflowers in full bloom on the campus of Marian Educity at Menamkulam in Thiruvananthapuram at Aaravam 2026, the agri-flower show Photo Credit: NIRMAL HARINDRAN.
• Sujith, a Kerala State Farm Award-winning farmer, has planted 28, 000 sunflower plants and this is his second successful attempt at setting up sunflower field during the festival season.
• Agripreneur SV Sujith at Aaravam, the agri-flower show on the campus of Marian Educity at Menamkulam in Thiruvananthapuram Photo Credit: NIRMAL HARINDRAN.
• Four varieties of cock's comb at Aaravam on the campus of Marian Educity at Menamkulam, Thiruvananthapuram Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT.
• Besides sunflowers, Aaravam showcases around 20, 000 marigold plants in three colours – yellow, white and orange.

It seems sunflower is the star this Onam season in Thiruvananthapuram, with residents making a beeline to the sunflower field on the campus of Marian Educity at Menamkulam, located 20-odd kilometres from the city. The flowers are in full bloom at Aaravam 2026, an agri-flower show. It is an initiative of agripreneur SV Sujith's startup, Naaden Agro Farms.

Sujith, a Kerala State Farm Award-winning farmer, has planted 28, 000 sunflower plants and this is his second successful attempt at setting up sunflower field during the festival season. Last year, it was on the campus of St Xavier's College, Thumba, where he already has a vegetable farm on 20 acres. "We have extracted 500 kilograms of oil from the sunflower seeds collected last year. You obtain one kilogram oil from 3 to 3.5 kilogram seeds, " he states.

It was in March this year that he leased five acres of waste land from the Marian management. "We converted it into cultivable land and planted sunflower seeds on two acres in June. Open precision farming method has been applied. It incorporates mulching sheets and drip irrigation, " he states.

At present four varieties of sunflower are grown here. "They differ with regard to size of the flower, number of petals, time taken to bloom, duration of flowering etc. We brought in these varieties to check which of them is suitable for our climate."

Besides sunflowers, Aaravam showcases around 20, 000 marigold plants in three colours – yellow, white and orange. Continued attraction is the 8, 000-plus plants of the dwarf French marigold, with flowers in shades of yellow and red. Magenta and pink varieties of Bachelor's button (vadamalli) and cock's comb (kozhippoovu /Celosia) in four bright colours additionally grab eyeballs.

While the marigolds will be sold in local flower market, he intends to extract oil from sunflower seeds this year as well.

Sujith has additionally grown paddy on two cents of land. Additionally on display are a water wheel and a number of equipment applied in farming. He has cultivated sweet corn, watermelon, vegetables and greens, including snake gourd, bittergourd, brinjal, coriander, palak, and amaranthus. Poultry such as hen, duck, and geese and a pair of goats are additionally on display. Notably, a cock's comb variety at Aaravam Photo Credit: Nirmal Harindran.

"This agri-show is an attempt to attract youngsters to farming. We have been giving internships to college students at our farm at St Xavier's. This year we have recruited four students from College of Agriculture, Vellayani, one from Mitraniketan, and two Vocational Higher Secondary students. Furthermore, we have taken one ITI (Industrial Training Institute) student for plumbing work. After internship, they all will become staff at Naaden."

Once the flower cultivation is wound up, he will start planting vegetables and fruits, starting with watermelon. "Plans are on to take another 15 acres from the college on lease and expand vegetable cultivation, " notes Sujith.

Aaravam 2026 is open till September 5, from 6am to 6pm on all days. Entry fee is ₹50 for adults and ₹30 for children. Kochi farmer's sunflower farm for his mother.

In short, a sunflower field steals the show this Onam in Thiruvananthapuram is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.