Pepper production in 2007-08 is likely to decline significantly with crop destruction being reported from Wayanad region in Kerala. Initial estimates of the state agriculture department points to a crop loss of 20-25% in Wayanad, as the support tree in which pepper vines are anchored were uprooted in the heavy rains and wind in majority of the farms. The Wayanad region produces more than 50% of the the country?s pepper crop with Idukki in Kerala and Coorg in Karnataka being the other production centres. Pepper output in 2006-07 (harvesting is from December to March) is estimated around 40,000-45,000 tonne.
The thorny support-tree (Erythrina Indica), that helps pepper vines to climb up, were weakened by massive pest infection and succumbed in the heavy rains during July-August, district agricultural officer of Wayanad Ashok Thekkan told FE. The affliction is caused by a kind of wasp called Quadrasticus Erythrina, which can proliferate and spread so quick to cause severe damage to the trees, he said.
Thekkan said more than 4,000 applications have been received in the last one week from distressed pepper farmers for calamity relief.
