Pepper and cardamom production from Kerala is likely to be affected because of low monsoonal rains in the regions producing these two spices. The shortfall in the monsoon has been worst in the Idukki and Wayanad districts of Kerala. These districts account for 70%-80% of the pepper and cardamom production in the country.
According to figures released by the Metrological Department, from the onset of monsoon up to July 25, Kerala received 43% less rain from normal. Idukki, which accounts for the bulk of cardamom, is deficit by 45%, while Wayanad, home to pepper, cardamom, ginger and coffee, received 72% less rain.
Crop setting began earlier in pepper and cardamom due to atypical rains in March and farmers were hoping for a bountiful season. ?Rains in July are very critical for cardamom. The spikelets have to grow and bear flowers, which later turn to capsules,? PA John of the district agricultural office in Idukki told FE.
?The number of capsule-setting in the spikelet is down by 60-70% from normal,? he added. Cardamom berries shrivel and fall down from the plant with temperatures rising from normal levels during the flowering season. John also informed that pepper production in the district would be lower than normal.
The nutritional offtake of pepper vines are curtailed with lesser moisture, forcing the plant to shed spikes, K Kandiannan, Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR), said. ?Ideally, plants should get maximum rain in July. Flowering, spike-setting and harvesting will be uniform and the production will be good,? he added. After the onset of the monsoon, initiation of spikes in black pepper can be seen on lateral branches within a week. Once spike-initiation sets in, there should not be any dry spell until maturity of the berries, he said.
Experts feel that a revival of the monsoon which may cover the shortfall would help in some recovery with late flowering, but it cannot compensate for the losses made during crop-setting in July.