Polyhouse farming · Kerala

Polyhouse Farming in Kasaragod

Monthly climate, crop windows and nearby markets for a polyhouse farm in Kasaragod, with a naturally ventilated polyhouse for a mild climate.

Sudhir Devkar, founder of Kryzen Biotech

By Sudhir Devkar, Founder & CEO, Kryzen Biotech

Updated · 5 min read

Polyhouse farming in Kasaragod: aerial view of a large protected cultivation farm with polyhouses

Planning polyhouse farming in Kasaragod? Kasaragod is a town in Kasaragod district, Kerala, home to about 54,000 people (GeoNames)[1][2], about 290 km from Bengaluru. Below we use the town's monthly temperatures, humidity and rainfall to work out which structure fits, which crops to grow and in which months, before you spend on construction.

Climate for polyhouse farming in Kasaragod

March is the hottest month in Kasaragod, with average daily highs of about 32°C. January has the coolest nights, averaging 23°C.[3] The area gets about 3,520 mm of rain a year, most of it in May to November, peaking in July at about 902 mm. Average humidity stays at 75% or more in May to November, which raises the risk of leaf disease and slows evaporative cooling. Kasaragod sits about 19 m above sea level.[2] On the Köppen–Geiger climate map, Kasaragod falls in the tropical monsoon zone (Am).[4]

Kasaragod climate by month

MonthAvg high (°C)Avg low (°C)Humidity (%)Rain (mm)
Jan30.322.8673
Feb31.623.9645
Mar32.425.46722
Apr31.826.47366
May30.426.679226
Jun28.225.986839
Jul27.225.289902
Aug26.924.790683
Sep27.324.688375
Oct28.224.884274
Nov28.924.277105
Dec29.323.17120
Area averages (a grid cell of about 50 km) for 2001–2025, from NASA POWER, centred on Kasaragod. Rainfall and night temperatures at your plot can differ, especially near hills and the coast.[3]

Advantages of protected cultivation in Kasaragod

  • Year-round crops

    Under cover, cucumber can be grown for the whole year in Kasaragod, so you can supply buyers every week instead of one open-field season.

  • Better yield and price

    Plants grow without rain, hail and wind damage, so yields are higher and more even, and clean, graded produce sells at a better price, especially off-season.

  • Less water

    Drip irrigation under cover uses less water than flood irrigation, and the roof keeps July's 902 mm of rain off the crop and the soil.

  • Less pesticides

    Insect net on vents and doors keeps out most pests, and controlled ventilation helps with leaf disease in the humid months (May to November), so you spray less often.

  • Subsidy eligible

    Polyhouse, shade net and nethouse projects in Kerala can apply for Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) assistance through the state horticulture department.[5]

Which polyhouse suits Kasaragod?

For polyhouse farming in Kasaragod, the structure decides which months you can crop and what it costs to run. With average highs between 27°C and 32°C through the year, Kasaragod suits a naturally ventilated polyhouse for most crops. Fan & Pad cooling is rarely needed; spend the budget on good ventilation, insect net and a shade screen. Plan for heavy rain in July (about 902 mm): raise the plinth, size the gutters for that month and keep drains away from the nutrient tank.

Protected structures to compare

Sunlight peaks in March at about 6.5 kWh per m² a day, so add a shade screen for leafy greens in the brightest months. A nethouse, the lowest-cost option, can grow hardy crops in December to April, when it is mild and fairly dry.

Crops for Kasaragod

Based on Kasaragod's climate, the crops with the longest growing windows are cucumber (all year), chilli pepper (all year) and brinjal (all year). Cucumber fits all year in a naturally ventilated polyhouse. Lilium and chrysanthemum are hard to time here, so we would leave them out of the first season. These are the crops we would plan first for polyhouse farming in Kasaragod.

Months each crop suits in Kasaragod

CropNaturally ventilated polyhouse
CapsicumJun–Jan
TomatoJul–Jan
CucumberAll year
Chilli pepperAll year
BrinjalAll year
LettuceDifficult
BroccoliDifficult
StrawberryDifficult
RoseDifficult
GerberaDifficult
CarnationDifficult
ChrysanthemumDifficult
AnthuriumJun–Dec
OrchidsJun–Dec
LiliumDifficult
Kryzen planning estimate from the monthly averages above and each crop's usual day and night temperature range. Variety, soil or substrate temperature and shading change the result, so confirm with a trial.

Suggested crops for Kasaragod

Selling your harvest in and around Kasaragod

54,000People in Kasaragod (GeoNames)[1]
₹7,834Spending per person per month, urban Kerala, 2023–24[6]
290 kmto Bengaluru, the nearest metro (straight line)

Urban households in Kerala spent an average of ₹7,834 per person per month in 2023–24, above the all-India urban average of ₹7,078.[6] Local demand in Kasaragod may be small for exotic greens, so plan where the rest of the harvest goes. Mangaluru, about 50 km away, is the nearest larger market on our list.

Polyhouse farming in Kasaragod with Kryzen

Kasaragod is about 620 km in a straight line from our factory and master warehouse at Degaon, Wai (Satara), our nearest site.

Towns near Kasaragod

We also plan and build farms in these towns near Kasaragod:

Map of Kerala

Check other locations in Kerala

We have farm planning pages for 51 towns in Kerala, each with its own climate, crops and market notes.

All Kerala locations

Map: LGD 2024 boundaries via bharatlas, CC BY 4.0. For illustration only.

Polyhouse farming in Kasaragod: FAQs

Can a polyhouse farm run all year in Kasaragod?

Yes, with the right structure. For Kasaragod we would plan a naturally ventilated polyhouse. Even then, lettuce is hard to grow in March to October, so plan another crop for those months.

Which polyhouse is best for Kasaragod?

With March highs of about 32°C and 67% average humidity in that month, we would start with a naturally ventilated polyhouse.

Which crops should I grow in a polyhouse in Kasaragod?

Going by the monthly climate, cucumber, chilli pepper and brinjal have the longest growing windows. Confirm prices and volumes with buyers before you plant.

Is polyhouse farming profitable in Kasaragod?

It can be, if the crop, the structure and the buyers match. In Kasaragod, cucumber and chilli pepper have the longest seasons under cover. Confirm prices and volumes with buyers first; our Detailed Project Report works out the cost, yield and returns for your plot.

Does Kryzen build polyhouses in Kasaragod?

Yes. Our nearest site is our factory and master warehouse at Degaon, Wai (Satara), about 620 km away.

Is there a subsidy for polyhouse or hydroponic farms in Kerala?

Yes. Protected cultivation projects in Kerala can apply for Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) assistance through the state horticulture department. Check the current rate and area limit when you apply.

Discuss your Kasaragod farm project

Share your plot location, water test and crop targets. We will suggest the right structure and growing system, and send an itemised quotation.

Sudhir Devkar

Sudhir Devkar

Founder & CEO, Kryzen Biotech

A computer engineer turned hydroponic farmer from a multigenerational farming family in Satara. Sudhir founded Kryzen in 2019, and the team has since built 350+ protected and hydroponic farms across India.

Sources

  1. GeoNames · Geographical database: populated places of India (opens in a new tab)
  2. Wikipedia · Kasaragod (opens in a new tab)
  3. NASA Langley Research Center · POWER Climatology API: long-term monthly averages (opens in a new tab)
  4. Rubel & Kottek, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna · World map of the Köppen–Geiger climate classification (opens in a new tab)
  5. Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare · Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) (opens in a new tab)
  6. Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) · Household Consumption Expenditure Survey 2023–24: press note (opens in a new tab)