Vanilla cultivation in Kodagu is relatively new, and is still being developed by local farmers. The crop is typically grown on small-scale, family-owned plantations, and requires a high level of care and attention to produce a high-quality product. The plants are grown using a combination of traditional and modern cultivation techniques, and are often grown in shade to protect them from the intense sun. The flowers must be pollinated by hand, which is a labor-intensive process. The fruit is harvested by hand when it is fully ripe, which can take up to nine months from the time of flowering. The harvested fruit is then cured and processed to produce the final product.