Kerala Farmer Bijumon Antony Revolutionizes Fruit Farming with Air Pot Gardening for Faster, Better Yields

A farmer named Biju Kunjumon from Valiyathovala in Kattappana has demonstrated that apples can be cultivated outside of the traditional cool, mountainous regions. Previously, it was thought that apples could only grow in such environments. However, on his one-acre farm, Kunjumon successfully grows four different types of apples. He claims that apples can also thrive in flat, tropical areas of the state, even when summer temperatures reach as high as 40 degrees Celsius.

Biju Kunjumon of Miracle Farm in Kerala successfully nurtures 400 apple trees of four varieties—Summer Zone, Anna, Dorsett, and Tropical Sweet—using grafting techniques. He now distributes grafted saplings across the state to promote apple cultivation.

Biju Kunjumon explains that air pruning pots allow a variety of trees, from papaya to coconut, to grow in small spaces without stunting their growth, unlike traditional containers.

"After thorough research, Biju Kunjumon began manufacturing Miracle Pots six months ago in collaboration with a Coimbatore-based company. The air pruning pots have since received positive feedback from customers nationwide.

Understanding Air Pots

Air pruning pots are flexible plastic mats with cone-shaped indents and tiny holes at the tips. The mats feature screw-like fasteners and a flat, round plastic screen at the bottom, designed to promote healthy root growth.

Biju Kunjumon, in addition to farming, manufactures and sells his own air pots, which are commonly used in countries like Israel, China, and Japan for faster, better yields. He highlights the high cost of imported pots in India, with prices averaging Rs 650 each on e-commerce platforms.

"Biju Kunjumon, a photographer-turned-farmer, created air pruning pots after successfully using one for planting apple saplings at his Miracle Farm in Kochuthovala. Inspired by the positive results, he decided to start making and selling these pots.

Plants grown in air pots tend to grow faster due to the enhanced root structure. The air pruning method prevents the roots from becoming tangled, which is a common issue in conventional potting methods, shares the farmer.

"I started as an integrated farmer, breeding goats, cows, black fowls, and fish, while also growing crops like cardamom and pepper. My constant research led me to explore new farming methods suitable for Keralas climate. Six years ago, I discovered the potential of cultivating exotic fruits that could withstand the state heat and rain," says the farmer.

Biju Kunjumon has implemented the “ultra-high-density” farming method at his farm, growing apple varieties that require less space but yield twice as many apples as traditional farming. He aims to prove that fruits considered unsuitable for Kerala climate and terrain can thrive with patience and the right techniques.

"All you need to do is purchase the pots in the required size, fill them with soil, and plant the saplings. Occasional watering and fertilizing are sufficient. Everything else is similar to regular gardening," says Biju.

When a sapling is planted in the air pot, the roots are forced to grow through the holes in the container walls and come into contact with the air. As the roots reach out, they get dehydrated in the dry air, which naturally prevents overgrowth and encourages a healthier root system, explains Biju, a recipient of the Karshakothama Award (2019) and the Karshakathilak Award (2020).

This method of pruning prevents root circling, where roots encircle the stem, causing compression of the bark and wood. It promotes the growth of new roots, allowing plants to absorb more water and nutrients. As a result, trees yield more, remain healthier, and develop greater disease resistance," explains Biju. He also highlights that the air pot offers a cost-effective way to treat household waste: "With just a packet of decomposing bacteria, organic waste can be turned into manure within 50 days.

Having received the Karshakothama Award in 2019 and the Karshakathilak Award in 2020, Biju is now sharing his knowledge by teaching innovative farming techniques to farmers across the state.

Edited by Gayathri