With the area under cardamom farming remaining more or less stable over the years, India is looking at a massive re-plantation and rejuvenation exercise to boost production. Meanwhile, degradation of the environment due to farming practices and changes in the macro-climatic environment is threatening the sustenance of cardamom plantations.
India is the second largest producer of cardamom in the world. Guatemala leads with 60-66% of the world production. Kerala is the maximum contributor of cardamom to the country, having a share of around 70% in the total production. Karnataka shares around 20% production and Tamil Nadu shares the rest. Indian production has remained volatile in the recent past due to a variety of factors, including a nominal decline in farming area. However, the nation has managed to increase productivity from around 46 kg/hectare in the 1970s to 350-400 kg/hectare.
Environmental changes like reduction in the number of raining days and the changes in maximum and minimum temperature in the Idukki region of Kerala, could undermine the long-term prospects of cardamom production in the nation. According to the MS Swaminathan Commission, which studied the farm crisis in Idukki district, environmental factors have changed dramatically and could threaten the livelihood of millions of farmers. The commission studied rain and temperature data for the past few decades and found that the number of rainy days has been decreasing. The report states that the number of rainy days have been seen decreasing for both, the South West Monsoon and the North East Monsoon. The temperature data for the region reveals that maximum temperature is seen rising over the years, while minimum temperature is seen falling. The rate of decrease in minimum temperature is slightly lower, but very significant. Cardamom needs low temperature, high humidity and incessant drizzles. Heavy rains could damage the crop, while intermittent rains that keep the atmosphere humid augur well. The Swaminathan Commission also warns that the water table in the region is seen decreasing and drought-like situations are frequent in the summer period.
Managing a stable production or increasing it calls for bringing more area under farming or increasing productivity. Increasing the area under cardamom farming is more or less impossible in the state of Kerala and farmers are averse to it, given the limited exports and domestic market. KK Devassia of Cardamom Growers Association says that productivity can be increased with better varieties and intensified cropping practices. Farmers are also well informed about the pitfalls involved in the intensified agricultural methods, which uses more fertilisers and pesticides.
“We are ready to convert into farming methods, which use more bio-fertilisers instead of harmful pesticides and fertilisers. However, that calls for a concerted action from the government in helping the farmers in the transition.
Meanwhile, we can re-plant and rejuvenate the existing plantations to increase output,” Devassia said.
The Spices Board is taking the lead in efforts to double cardamom production. The massive re-plantation and rejuvenation exercise undertaken by the board would yield result in four years. The board is spending Rs 122 crore, out of which Rs 50 crore will be used in the state of Kerala alone. Farmers are positively reacting to the scheme and the results are encouraging, Devassia added. For the rejuvenation of cardamom plantations, the board will disburse Rs 13,300 per ha as single installment to cardamom growers owning up to four ha in the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The board is also providing financial aid for setting up irrigation facilities, soil conservation and for cardamom curing besides technical advice to cardamom growers.
The total area to be replanted is 28,000 hectare, of which 10,000 hectare is in Kerala and Tamil Nadu and 18,000 hectare in Karnataka. About 15,000 hectare will be rejuvenated in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.