Cardamom farmers of Idukki district, who contribute more than 70% of the cardamom produced in India, are worried over the continuous rains that have lashed the mountain region.
The district has been receiving continuous rains in the last five days and with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting more rains in the coming days, the possibility of fungus damaging the crop is causing concern, KK Devassia of Cardamom Growers Association said.
Cardamom plants are very sensitive to rains with productivity directly related to the volume of rains and number of raining days. 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.
Agro-Meteorology department of Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) says that physio-chemical changes occur in the plants due to changes in the monsoon pattern. According to the data from IMD regional office in Thiruvanathapuram, the rainfall received in Idukki during the current monsoon season is normal from August 30, after trailing by almost 43% during the week ending on August 25. The rains were continuous and harsh in the region, Devassia said. Good returns from cardamom has helped the farmers to take preventive measures such as spraying anti-fungal sprays and draining the planted areas, says Devassia, but adds that the continuous rains tend to damage crop.
Environmental changes like reduction in the number of raining days and the changes in maximum and minimum temperature in the Idukki region of Kerala state is seen undermining the long-term prospects of cardamom production in the nation, says a report by the M S Swaminathan Commission .The world production of this spice is around 35,000 tonne per annum with India producing 10,000-12,000 tonne annually.