At 74, Kuruvila Joseph harvests 3 tonnes of litchis in Wayanad’s hills

Wayanad: While Bihar’s famed Shahi litchi orchards in Muzaffarpur struggle through their worst season in years, a 74-year-old farmer in Wayanad is rewriting what’s possible.

Kuruvila Joseph is harvesting 3 tonnes of litchis from just 12 trees. His methods are drawing attention from researchers across India.

Hundreds of kilometers away, Bihar’s orchards faced extreme heat, unseasonal rain and shorter winters this April. Litchis need 30–35°C to ripen properly, but some trees saw 45°C. Fruits dropped early, skins darkened, and yields fell sharply.

In Wayanad’s misty hills, Kuruvila’s approach is showing a different result. His orchard is thriving despite the same climate shifts affecting much of the country. Researchers are now studying his techniques to understand how they help trees withstand heat and produce consistently.

For a fruit tied to childhood summers and family gatherings, his success offers a practical path forward. With litchi yields under pressure nationwide, farmers and scientists are looking to models like Kuruvila’s to protect the crop for future seasons.