Mrs. Ponnarasi from Kujilipaarai, Nochipatti, in Tamil Nadu’s Dindigul district has transformed drumstick farming into a highly profitable venture. Despite farming on dry, barren land, she has proven that native (desi) drumsticks can thrive even in drought conditions and generate substantial income when value-added products are introduced.

Coming from a farming background, Mrs. Ponnarasi and her family have been cultivating drumsticks for generations on their 15-acre land. However, fluctuating market prices often forced them to leave their produce unharvested. Realizing this challenge, she sought alternatives and discovered the potential of value-added drumstick products with guidance from an agricultural expert, Mr. Kennedy.

Through self-learning and experimentation, she began producing a wide range of products such as drumstick honey, flower gulkand, leaf-based idly and soup powder, seed oil, bath powder, oil soap, and rice powders. Notably, drumstick seed oil, known for its medicinal properties, sells for Rs. 6000 per liter.

Mrs. Ponnarasi has also empowered her four children by assigning each a role in farming, cattle rearing, marketing, and homekeeping. This division of labor has allowed her to focus on expanding her business and training others in organic farming.

With growing consumer awareness, demand for her organic products has surged, enabling her to earn Rs. 100,000 per month—matching the income of an IT professional. Her success has also led to the purchase of seven additional acres for organic fruit cultivation, reinforcing her belief that drumsticks will never leave her empty-handed.