Agriculture
Kottayam has a mountainous terrain as well as low lying areas very close to sea level. Depending on the location different varieties of food crops as well as cash crops are cultivated. The most important food crop cultivated in low lying areas is rice. Though its the staple food of the people, unfortunately the area under cultivation is dwindling due to more lucrative cash crops like rubber plantations for which Kottayam significantly contributes to the overall rubber production in India. Rubber trees provide a stable income for the farmers and climate is ideal for rubber plantations. Though highlands are more suitable, the cultivation has spread to almost every where. Apart from these, other crops cultivated are tapioca, coconut, pepper, vegetables etc. In order to enhance the rubber productivity, government of India has set up Rubber board and Rubber research institute in Kottayam.
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