Polyhouse farming · Kerala

Polyhouse Farming in Kodungallur

Monthly climate, crop windows and nearby markets for a polyhouse farm in Kodungallur, 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 Kodungallur: aerial view of a large protected cultivation farm with polyhouses

Planning polyhouse farming in Kodungallur? Kodungallur is a town in Thrissur district, Kerala, home to about 71,000 people (Census 2011)[1], about 340 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 Kodungallur

March is the hottest month in Kodungallur, with average daily highs of about 33°C. January has the coolest nights, averaging 23°C.[2] The area gets about 2,653 mm of rain a year, most of it in April to November, peaking in June at about 494 mm. Average humidity stays at 75% or more in April to November, which raises the risk of leaf disease and slows evaporative cooling. Kodungallur sits about 9 m above sea level.[1] On the Köppen–Geiger climate map, Kodungallur falls in the tropical monsoon zone (Am).[3]

Kodungallur climate by month

MonthAvg high (°C)Avg low (°C)Humidity (%)Rain (mm)
Jan31.523.26613
Feb32.824.46327
Mar33.025.86754
Apr31.626.576129
May30.026.582284
Jun28.325.687494
Jul27.424.889439
Aug27.324.589350
Sep27.824.687293
Oct28.324.885358
Nov29.124.580174
Dec30.023.57338
Area averages (a grid cell of about 50 km) for 2001–2025, from NASA POWER, centred on Kodungallur. Rainfall and night temperatures at your plot can differ, especially near hills and the coast.[2]

Advantages of protected cultivation in Kodungallur

  • Year-round crops

    Under cover, cucumber can be grown for the whole year in Kodungallur, 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 June's 494 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 (April 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.[4]

Which polyhouse suits Kodungallur?

For polyhouse farming in Kodungallur, the structure decides which months you can crop and what it costs to run. With average highs between 27°C and 33°C through the year, Kodungallur 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 June (about 494 mm): raise the plinth, size the gutters for that month and keep drains away from the nutrient tank.

Protected structures to compare

A nethouse, the lowest-cost option, can grow hardy crops in December to March, when it is mild and fairly dry.

Crops for Kodungallur

Based on Kodungallur'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 Kodungallur.

Months each crop suits in Kodungallur

CropNaturally ventilated polyhouseWith Fan & Pad cooling
CapsicumMay–DecAll year
TomatoJul–DecJul–Feb
CucumberAll yearAll year
Chilli pepperAll yearAll year
BrinjalAll yearAll year
LettuceAugNov–Feb and Aug
BroccoliDifficultDifficult
StrawberryDifficultDifficult
RoseDifficultDifficult
GerberaDifficultDec–Jan
CarnationDifficultDifficult
ChrysanthemumDifficultDifficult
AnthuriumMay–DecAll year
OrchidsMay–DecAll year
LiliumDifficultDifficult
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 Kodungallur

Selling your harvest in and around Kodungallur

71,000People in Kodungallur (Census 2011)[1]
₹7,834Spending per person per month, urban Kerala, 2023–24[5]
340 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.[5] Local demand in Kodungallur may be small for exotic greens, so plan where the rest of the harvest goes. Thrissur, about 30 km away, is the nearest larger market on our list.

Polyhouse farming in Kodungallur with Kryzen

Kodungallur is about 890 km in a straight line from our factory and master warehouse at Degaon, Wai (Satara), our nearest site.

Towns near Kodungallur

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

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 Kodungallur: FAQs

Can a polyhouse farm run all year in Kodungallur?

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

Which polyhouse is best for Kodungallur?

With March highs of about 33°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 Kodungallur?

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

Is polyhouse farming profitable in Kodungallur?

It can be, if the crop, the structure and the buyers match. In Kodungallur, 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 Kodungallur?

Yes. Our nearest site is our factory and master warehouse at Degaon, Wai (Satara), about 890 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 Kodungallur 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. Wikipedia · Kodungallur (opens in a new tab)
  2. NASA Langley Research Center · POWER Climatology API: long-term monthly averages (opens in a new tab)
  3. Rubel & Kottek, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna · World map of the Köppen–Geiger climate classification (opens in a new tab)
  4. Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare · Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) (opens in a new tab)
  5. Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) · Household Consumption Expenditure Survey 2023–24: press note (opens in a new tab)