Where Vishu never ends: A Kerala village where farming meets tourism, thanks to 'Sreeni trick'

In the heart of Udayamperoor in Ernakulam, something remarkable is blooming in the Kandanad fields. Once a quiet stretch of paddy fields, this landscape now bursts into life every season, drawing not just farmers and vendors but curious travellers too. And even after the Vishu festival winds down elsewhere, here, the spirit of Vishu lingers on—in the lush greenery, the thriving markets, and the warmth of a community rewriting its agricultural story.

The transformation owes much to local farmer Manu and a dedicated team of villagers, including beloved actor Sreenivasan, whose presence in the fields nearly a decade ago sparked viral attention. A decade ago, when Sreenivasan stepped into the Kandanad fields, few imagined his visit would sow the seeds of a farming revolution. Locals initially dismissed it as a fleeting celebrity experiment—"Oh, just another film star's whim," they said. But Sreenivasan stayed. Alongside Manu, Sreenivasan nurtured a vision that would transform these paddy fields into a vibrant model of agri-tourism.

And what began as an experiment is today a model of sustainable agriculture integrated with tourism. The paddy fields, once harvested, give way to sprawling vegetable farms with hybrid seeds yielding everything from ladies’ fingers and various gourds to English cucumbers and muskmelons.

The ‘Sreeni trick’
The initiative, which began with just a roadside stall, soon evolved into direct sales from the fields. Visitors now handpick their vegetables, savouring both the produce and the experience. The ‘Sreeni trick’, as locals fondly call it, saw an entire paddy plot filled with sunflowers—selfie-perfect and Instagram-ready. 
 

For a nominal ₹20, visitors could wander through the blooms, sip on watermelon juice or shamam shakes prepared by Manu’s team, and head home with fresh vegetables. It was a brilliant blend of aesthetics and enterprise.

"The real success lies in the fact that buyers come to the fields," says Udayamperoor’s agricultural officer Sinu Joseph. "The farmers have turned agriculture into an experience. We, from the department, simply support them." Assistant agriculture officer Unnikrishnan agrees: "This can be a model anywhere. Manu and his team are showing how it’s done."

Months under the canopy
Behind the vibrant canopy of gourds and vines is a meticulous system: soil enriched with compost and poultry manure, timely watering and affordable yet durable trellises that support months of yield. "Though we started late this year due to the harvest, the crops are doing well," says Manu. "We even adjusted our choices to suit market demand—opting for smaller ridge gourds because long ones don’t sell well these days."

The excitement isn’t limited to locals. The Kandanad fields are now drawing visitors eager for a glimpse of Kerala’s new agrarian spirit. As tourists pause under the shade of the centuries-old St Mary’s Cathedral or tread the soil that once bore witness to Marthanda Varma’s battles and the Udayamperoor Synod, they now also witness the quiet revolution of a farming community scripting new history.

From Ukraine to Kandanad

Even Ritika, a young medical graduate who returned from war-torn Ukraine, has joined her father Manu in the field—this time as the unofficial accountant. “I passed my equivalency exams and am waiting to begin practice. Till then, I thought, why not help here? We can calculate the profits once the entire harvest is done,” she smiles.

Tech meets tradition
Plans for the future are grand. "Gone are the days of four cows, a couple of papaya trees, and a few banana plants," says George Kulangara, president of the Central Kerala Agricultural Producers’ Consortium. “Our children won’t stay back for that. They’ll fly off to Canada or Ireland. We’ve already brought in drones for fertiliser. Soon, drones will sow paddy too.”
The aim is now to preserve perishable produce longer, using technology to process vegetables without compromising quality—making it viable for wider markets and attracting government support.

Tourists, come this way!

So to travellers seeking something beyond the ordinary, the message is clear: Come to Kandanad. Witness history in stone and soil. In this land that saw synods and struggles, farmers are sowing seeds of hope. And long after Vishu lamps go out elsewhere, here, the Vishukkani continues—green, growing and gloriously alive.