Bhubaneswar, Dec. 7 -- Farmers in Ganjam district are reaping significant profits from the cultivation of kankada (spiny gourd), a crop that commands high prices throughout the year but demands intensive manual labour. Villagers in Nimapalli under the Sorada block have been cultivating spiny gourd for years and continue to expand production due to its promising economic returns.

Spiny gourd farming requires considerably more effort compared to other vegetables. Farmers begin work at daybreak, first planting male and female tubers and then constructing bamboo trellises to support the vines as they grow.

Manual pollination is a critical part of the crop cycle. Each morning before sunrise, farmers hand-pick male flowers, collect the anther...