Scattered summer showers in the hills of Kerala, where most of the cardamom, coffee and tea are grown, have helped in averting a major loss in production expected due to scanty rains.
Kerala received good rains during the later half of March and April but the uneven distribution was a major concern. Rains in some districts like Kasargod have been deficient by almost 99% during the March 1 to April 7 period, according to figures provided by Indian Meteorological Department (IMD).
Kasargaod is a major producer of cashew and arecanut and the drought-like conditions are likely to affect production, trade sources said.
According to the IMD, rain deficiency for the March 1 to April 7 period is only 7% as against the cumulative shortfall of 31% for January and February.
During the first half of March, the deficit was as high as 83% with districts of Idukki and Wayanad leading the shortfall. Currently, the two districts are short for the above-mentioned period only by 34% and 42 % respectively.
?With the district receiving some rain, the cardamom plants have been saved from withering down. A major disaster in the cardamom sector has been averted. But for some plantations in the rocky terrains majority of the plantations are safe for now in Kerala and Tamil Nadu,? KK Devassia of Cardamom Growers Association said.
Drought-like conditions are harmful for cardamom as moisture stress affects the plants productivity.
Idukki district of Kerala, where Udambanchola Taluk alone has 30,000 hectares of cardamom contributes around 70% of the cardamom production in the country.
The plant is extremely rain and temperature sensitive. Cardamom needs low temperature, high humidity and incessant drizzles. Heavy rains could damage the crop, while intermittent rains that keep the atmosphere humid are good for the crop.
Tea production in Munnar region of Idukki will also be positively impacted by the recent showers. Traders were expecting lower production during April and May due to less rains and high daytime temperature.
Coffee plantations in the Wayanad district of Kerala and rubber production are also likely to improve on account of rains, traders said.