Summer rains in the cardamom producing regions could augur well for the new crop (2008-09), government officials said. The major producing region of Idukki has received good showers this season in contrast to a drought in the previous season, PA John of the district agricultural office told FE. Given that other conditions are satisfactory, the crop could be higher by 30-40% compared to the previous year, KK Devassia of Cardamom Growers Association said. Moreover, the prevailing high prices have helped the farmers in taking good care of the plantations, thus helping in increased production, he added.
The 2007-08 crop is seen lower by 30-40% at 6,000-7,000 tonne over the previous year due to erratic weather. Major production centres in Idukki district like Udumbanchola, Rajakkad, Santapara, and Vandanmedu were severely affected due to the prolonged dry spell in 2007 and production had declined significantly. Kerala is the largest 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.
Majority of the cropping area in the Munnar-Nedukandam region were also affected, according to sources at the Cardamom Planters Association, Bodinaykkannur. ?Except for a small percentage of planters who have irrigation facilities, most of the planters reported plant destruction in the severe drought that lasted almost five months,? sources said. Drop in production helped the cardamom growers to get a better price for the crop in the past one year. Auction prices in the trading centres of Kerala and Tamil Nadu even crossed the Rs 600-level for a kilogram. Cardamom needs low temperature, high humidity, and incessant drizzles, Devassia said. ?The conditions have turned favourable in the past few days, with the atmosphere remaining cloudy, with intermittent rains.? Heavy rains could damage the crop, while intermittent rains that keep the atmosphere humid augur well, he added.