Kochi: It is Onam, the harvest festival time in Kerala and G Sreekumar’s retired life is all thrill, making an extra buck from the fruits and vegetables grown in own backyard.

After superannuation as engineer from the state service, he has engaged himself in organic farming at Njarackal in Anjaalum Moodu in Kollam district. This is when people are scared to buy vegetables grown. Across Kerala many panchayats, local markets and small organisations are making attempts to lure people into organic farming in this backyards.

A local leader Omanakuttan in association with Thrikaruva panchayat and the agriculture office has set up a forum of amateur farmers and a market for them to sell organically grown vegetables.

This has helped Sreekumar and his ilk to provide local​ people healthy​ and safe vegetables and fruits. Sreekumar has put to use the 25 cent on his premises to optimum use.

He has rarambutan, mangosteen, lemon, orange, jamun, chikku, and gooseberry trees. Besides various types of bananas, he has let passion fruit vines climb the different trees. Besides, poultry of different kinds add glory to his farm.

He uses to the terrace of his house to grow vegetables like chilli, brinjal, lady’s finger, spinach, tube beans and cucumber among others. And all these add to his income and the fruits of his labour give him a pleasure too.