In Tamil Nadu's Villupuram, Farmer Earns Rs 30,000 Per Month With Lettuce Cultivation

Lettuce is an annual leaf vegetable of the aster family and according to Local18 Tamil is the only crop that can be cultivated in a limited space. Amongst the green vegetables, the Spinach leaves also may resemble Lettuce but they are not and very closely related to the Amaranth family. A farmer named Murugan, from the Panampattu area of Villupuram, who cultivates the Lettuce crops, said that he can earn Rs 30,000 monthly with his work.

The Lettuce crops harvested here are sold to traders for Rs 20 or Rs 10 and a minimum of 150 bundles of lettuce are harvested every day. Lettuce has emerged to be a profitable crop for farmers because their seeds can be sown anytime in the soil except in the season with heavy rainfall.

Other requirements for the Lettuce plantation are that the land should be ploughed well and a garden bed 6 feet in length and 4 feet in width should be constructed. Following its construction,10 kg of manure should be sprinkled and Lettuce seeds will start to germinate on the 3rd day after sowing. Weeds should be plucked out from time to time and irrigation should be done depending on the moisture content.

Lettuce vegetable crops should be watered once in two days on a rotational basis and their yields will be increased with a good plant bed and the regular removal of the weeds. The produce comprising three different varieties of Lettuce is grown and harvested in 22 to 30 days and sold to farmer’s markets and local markets as well.

There are a lot of health benefits associated with the Lettuce plant. According to the WebMD, they are-

1. Bone Strength

Lettuce is a storehouse of vitamin K, which helps strengthen bones, and consuming adequate amounts of it can also reduce your risk of bone fracture.

2. Hydration

Water makes up over 95% of raw lettuce and as a result, eating lettuce hydrates the body. Drinking liquids is necessary but water in foods can also significantly contribute to hydration.

3. Improved Vision

Lettuce is a source of vitamin A, which plays a significant role in eye health. Vitamin A can reduce a person’s risk of cataracts and helps prevent macular degeneration.