known saying in the South Indian language of Malayalam which states that the soil will not deceive he who works hard on it. For 33-year-old Muhamed Shareef Areekkattu, who hails from Kerala's Malappuram District, the maxim holds true overseas. He cultivates tapioca, a typical agricultural product of Kerala and a much loved dish on their dining table, in the limited space of a villa's courtyard in Jeddah. Areekkattu said he was never interested in agriculture or farming when he was in India, and that he decided to experiment with his agricultural tactics here. “I bought four tapioca stumps on my last visit to India. I take great care of the plants in my leisure time. Timely watering and fertilization helps to get a good harvest from my mini farm. From my first harvest, I was able to get three bundles of six kgs of tapioca,” said Areekkattu. Proudly showing the biggest bundle of his crop, he says: “I planted it almost nine months ago.” Areekkattu, who works with a private medical center in Jeddah, said he likes to share his experience of tapioca-harvesting with other residents of the villa. “I make tapioca dishes for as many as 60 people at a time,” he said. Areekattu also plants moringa and banana trees on the patio. ‘I have seeds of peas, giant melons, ladyfingers and green chilis, but I have reserved them for sowing in a favorable climate,” he said. Tapioca is a tropical crop requiring a warm and humid climate, and well-distributed annual rainfall when grown under rain-fed conditions. It is known for its drought tolerance and is successfully grown as a rain-fed crop. ‘I was initially doubtful about getting positive results. As the crop requires a humid climate, temperature is an important factor. But I decided to experiment,'' said Areekattu, who by profession is a driver. Proper watering is essential for tapioca, which usually sprouts within two weeks of sowing. He said that he waters the plant twice a day, in the morning and evening. Tapioca is grown in Kerala mostly as an interim crop. It is planted in rice fields and other land. It is nutritious and wholesome, and known as the poor man's vegetable. Being rich in carbohydrates, it is used as a supplementary food.
