The international flower show “Pooppoli” will open this week in Ambalavayal, Wayanad, bringing a fortnight of horticultural displays, agricultural workshops and cultural events to northern Kerala. Organised jointly by Kerala Agricultural University and the Agricultural Development and Farmer Welfare Department, the exhibition runs until 15 January and aims to promote crop varieties, novel cultivation techniques and market linkages for farmers.
The district-level inauguration is scheduled for 2 January at 4pm at the Ambalavayal Regional Agricultural Research Centre, where P. Prasad, Minister for Agricultural Development and Farmer Welfare, will preside. The festival’s admission opening ceremony will take place on the following Thursday at 8am, officiated by Ambalavayal Gram Panchayat president N.C. Krishnakumar. O. R. Kelu, Minister for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes Welfare, will deliver the keynote address.
Wayanad flower festival brings agricultural showcase and tourism appeal
Pooppoli is structured to be more than a floral exhibition. Alongside colourful displays, the programme includes agricultural workshops, seminars and clinics addressing hill-region farming challenges and seasonally relevant topics. Experts will lead technical sessions on modern cultivation methods and pest management, offering farmers practical guidance they can apply on their holdings.
Stalls will feature a cross-section of participants, including government and quasi-government agencies, farmer cooperatives and individual growers. The exhibition will also host demonstrations of high-quality planting material and a marketplace for agricultural products, providing producers with direct opportunities to connect with buyers and traders.
The garden exhibits are a major draw. Visitors can expect a wide variety of ornamental and bedding plants, from petunia and dahlia to marigold, sunflower, aster and lilies. Decorative plants such as dracaena and calathea, along with novel varieties, will form part of the display. Curated themes include a floral clock, edible-plant ornamental beds, topiary displays, floating gardens, a melastome collection and a dedicated rose garden.
Pooppoli has also been planned with families in mind. A children’s park and a selection of rides will be available, and evening sessions will feature illuminated floral decorations and cultural performances. These elements are intended to boost visitor numbers and encourage local tourism during the festival period.
Organisers have highlighted the event’s role in knowledge transfer and market development. Agricultural clinics will offer diagnosis and advice for crop issues, while seminars will address contemporary challenges in the highlands, such as soil management, water conservation and climate-resilient cropping. By combining technical content with attractive displays, Pooppoli seeks to engage both farmers and the wider public.
The festival’s mix of expert-led learning, marketplace activity and aesthetic displays is expected to attract visitors from across the region. For Wayanad, the event presents an opportunity to showcase local horticultural strengths, support farmer incomes and draw tourists to the district’s scenic hill country.
Key Takeaways:
- Wayanad flower festival Pooppoli opens in Ambalavayal, Kerala, showcasing horticulture and local agriculture.
- The event runs until 15 January with workshops, seminars and agricultural clinics led by experts.
- Government, semi-government bodies and farmer groups will host stalls; cultural programmes and evening floral displays will entertain visitors.
- Main attractions include themed gardens, rare ornamental plants and family-friendly rides and parks.
