Malappuram district is not rich in mineral wealth. Laterite stone is found abundantly in the midland areas. It is exploited economically for construction work and hundreds of quarries cutting laterite stone known as Vettukallu are in operation, giving employment to thousands. It was Dr. Francis Buchanan, a Scottish scholar who named the porous rock laterite based on the Latin term lateritis, meaning brick stone. He conducted his studies in and around Angadipuram in 1800 A.D.
Deposits of lime shells are found in the coastal belt, mainly in Ponnani and Kadalundinagaram. The coastal sands of Ponnani and Velliyancode contain heavy minerals like llmanite and Monosite. China clay, the principal raw material for porcelain industry, is found abundantly in many parts of the district. Iron ore, as Magnetite Quartzite is found abundantly in many parts of the district. Iron ore, as Magnetite and Quartzite is found in Nilambur, Vaniyambalam, Kalikavu and Chembarassery.
Agriculture is the mainstay of the population, involving 75% of the people, directly or indirectly. The main crops raised are paddy, coconut, tapioca, arecanut, cashewnut, banana, rubber, pulses, ginger and pepper. Here 2.08 lakhs hectares of land are available for agriculture. The vast majority of the peasants are small land holders. 2.36 lakhs hectares are holdings below one hectare. Only 16,107 hectares of holding are above 2 hectares in area. Paddy lost predominance among crops during the last decade. Now coconut tops, with a total area of one lakh hectares.
An important cash crop is arecanut. It covers an area 11,398 hectares, with an average annual production of 2,300 MT. Tapioca is cultivated in 12,944 hectares with annual production of 2.41 lakhs MT. Banana (11,398 H), Hill produces (1,720 H), etc. show the crop diversity. For research and extension services in agriculture, technology and to produce and provide planting materials to the farmers, a net work of institutions functions in the district.
