Change-thinking farmers near Dindigul – interested in cultivating Ada Tota herb

Dindigul: Farmers are showing interest in cultivating the herb Adathota (goat-eating plant) in Kuttathuppatti village of Dindigul district.

There are thousands of herbal plants in Sirumalai region of Dindigul district. Many of these remain undetected. While herbal plants are growing naturally, farmers are not interested in individual cultivation of herbs.

There are shops in the center of the city to buy herbs collected from various parts of the district. As a result, the people are bringing Sem cotton, Avaram flower, Ilantai fruit, Brindai etc. which are collected here and there from the hill villages and foothill villages near Dindigul and selling them in Dindigul.

In this case, they have completely planted the herb plant at Kuttathuppatti near Dindigul. Farmers who do not have a lot of space have planted adathota plant in garden fences. (As goats do not eat it, it got its name ‘Ada Toda’, meaning a plant untouched by goats).

Many people have cultivated Adathota herbal plants in Kuttathuppatti village area. When the plant takes 3 months to grow, the leaves are picked and dried and sold. The leaves grow so that they can be harvested multiple times. These leaves are powdered and sold in Siddha medicine shops as Adathoda manapagu. It is said to be the best herbal remedy for colds.

According to the farmers who cultivate Adathoda, it is an inexpensive herbal crop. Occasional watering is all that is needed, it is drought tolerant and does not need to be treated. There is no disease attack and the price is quite affordable.

Siddha pharmaceutical companies come here and buy. Some take it to shops in Dindigul and sell it. Officials should encourage the cultivation of herbal crops by providing necessary assistance through the horticulture department, they said.

A Dindigul trader said: Until a year ago, due to the increase in demand during the Corona period, Adathoda leaves were sold for up to Rs.60 per kg. Currently, a kg is selling between Rs.25 to Rs.30. He said that Adathoda is the most needed herbal plant in Siddha medicine.

According to Kanimozhi, assistant director of horticulture, the herb is not grown in a single area in Dindigul district. If the farmers come forward to cultivate herbal crops, we are ready to get all the government’s help and concessions and promote herbal cultivation, he said.