KOCHI: Fallen Areca Palm trees are Babu's farmlands. Babu Maniyamkuzhi from Angamaly, who earns an income by cultivating mint, is now viral on social media.

Babu's method is to remove the rice inside the tree by tearing a small part of it and then planting the seedlings after filling the tree with soil and dung. He planted mint since it can be harvested quickly. Around six to seven kilos of mint can be harvested from two Areca Palm trees in a month. There is a huge demand for the organically grown mint at Rs 100 per kg. Usually, the planting mixture should be changed after two harvests. However, Babu did not have to change the planting mix for six months. Yet, the yield kept on increasing. Apart from this, he is also cultivating paddy and nutmegs. He is assisted by his wife Maji.

Babu's mint cultivation went viral on social media after he posted about it in a farming community. Following this, several people are calling him to teach this method. Other leafy vegetables can also be grown in the Areca Palm tree. Babu is preparing to expand farming.