PALEE, a spiny bittergourd (ampalaya) developed by plant breeders of East-West Seed Company, has become a favorite of farmers in India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar and other Asian markets for a number of good reasons.

It is high-yielding, disease-resistant and with excellent fruit quality. Above photo shows farmer Anamanraju of Nelamangala, Bangalore, India and Ric M Reyes of Global Product Market Combination manager of East-West Seed Co. They are holding Palee hybrid bittergourd fruits in Mr. Anamanjaru’s farm.

Anamanraju says he loves the high yielding and disease resistance traits of Palee. It is tolerant to yellowing and downy mildew, giving him extended harvesting period. He said that he can get as much as 40 tons per hectare which he sells at 20 rupees per kilo. This is about 800,000 rupees or US$12,000 gross income per hectare.