Puliyangudi: India’s Lemon Capital

Context:

Published on March 27, 2025, this article from The Hindu highlights Puliyangudi, a town in Tamil Nadu’s Tenkasi district, known as the "Lemon City of India." With its rich lemon cultivation history and upcoming Geographical Indication (GI) tag, the town exemplifies agricultural significance and economic potential, offering insights into rural development and regional identity as of March 27, 2025.

Key Information Points:

• Location: Puliyangudi is situated in Tenkasi district, Tamil Nadu, approximately 30 km from Tenkasi and 600 km from Chennai, near the Western Ghats foothills.
• Nickname: Known as the "Lemon City of India" due to its extensive lemon farming and trade.
• Historical Significance: Lemon cultivation began over 300 years ago during the Madurai Nayak dynasty, with Mudaliyars from Andhra Pradesh introducing the practice after settling in the region.
• Cultivation Scale: Over 10,000 acres are dedicated to lemon farming, with more than 10,000 farmers involved, producing around 1 crore lemons monthly during peak season (January to June).
• Varieties: Two main lemon types are grown—‘Saathu Kaai’ (round) and ‘Puli Kaai’ (sour)—with 70% being round lemons preferred for their taste.
• Economic Impact: Approximately 70% of Tamil Nadu’s lemons come from Puliyangudi, supporting a robust local economy and livelihoods.
• Trade Hub: Hosts one of India’s largest lemon markets, with a daily turnover of ₹20 lakh to ₹25 lakh, peaking at ₹50 lakh during festivals like Deepavali and Pongal.
• Market Dynamics: Around 50 merchants operate daily, with peak season seeing up to 300 lorry loads traded; prices range from ₹1.50 to ₹2 per lemon, dropping to ₹1 during oversupply.
• Export Potential: Lemons are sent to northern states (Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Bihar) and exported to Dubai, Singapore, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka, with a GI tag expected in April 2025 to boost global recognition.
• GI Tag Pursuit: The Tamil Nadu government applied for a GI tag three years ago, anticipated to be granted in early April 2025, enhancing export prospects and farmer incomes.
• Irrigation: Relies on groundwater and water lifted from the Tamirabarani river via pipelines, sustaining year-round cultivation despite irregular rainfall.
• Political Attention: Tamil Nadu BJP president K. Annamalai, during a March 12, 2025, public meeting, promised the GI tag by April’s first week, highlighting its economic significance.
• Cultural Identity: Lemon cultivation shapes Puliyangudi’s identity, with locals proudly calling it the "Lemon City," reinforced by its market prominence.

Key Terms:

• Lemon City: Puliyangudi’s nickname reflecting its dominance in lemon production.
• Geographical Indication (GI) Tag: Legal recognition linking a product to its geographic origin, enhancing its market value.
• Tenkasi District: Administrative region in Tamil Nadu hosting Puliyangudi.
• Western Ghats: Mountain range near Puliyangudi aiding its agro-climatic conditions.
• Tamirabarani River: Key water source for irrigation in the region.
• Madurai Nayak Dynasty: Historical rulers under whom lemon farming began locally.
• Saathu Kaai: Round lemon variety favoured for its taste in Puliyangudi.

Link To The Original Article – https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/puliyangudi-in-tenkasi-district-of-tamil-nadu-is-the-lemon-city-of-india/article69380840.ece