The Hindu Business Line : Replanting to reduce cardamom output

Replanting of senile plants, by several planters in Kerala's Idukki district, is likely to lead to decline in cardamom output during the current season. The output was earlier reported to be less by 30-40 per cent due to unfavourable weather conditions.

Senile plantations, spread over around 600 acres in Rajakumari and Rajakkad areas in the district, have been replanted with the high-yielding "Njallani" variety, planters Mr Uthathil Baby and Mr M.V. Yoyaki, told Business Line.

Because of poor yield of the old plants and the prevailing un-remunerative prices, "we decided to replant them with the new variety," they said.

The gestation period is 18 months. "We expect an average yield of 300 kg per acre from the high-yielding variety after two years," they said. Therefore, the output would be less during the current and next season from this area, they said.

Total cost

The total cost for raising one acre of cardamom plantation would come to around Rs 95,000, excluding the capital investment and interest on the cultivation expenses.

The standing crops in certain growing areas, affected by deficient summer rains this year, were extensively damaged by heavy winds that lashed the region in May last. Besides, heavy downpour in July also affected the crop, they said.

Because of the low prices of the produce during the lastcouple of years, growers could not carry on their agricultural operations.

Added to this are the high prices of fertiliser and pesticides. Thus, neglecting the plantations for want of funds to plough back, would also have a negative impact on the output, they claimed.

The adverse weather conditions have led to a loss of about 50 per cent crop in Udumbanchola area and 30 per cent in Vandanmedu region, Mr T. Ashok Kumar, President, Kerala Cardamom Growers Union, said.

However, the current favourable weather conditions would pave the way for a good late crop, trading sources said.

Output estimate

The total output in 2005-06 is estimated at 12,500 tonnes as compared to 11,400 tonnes the previous year.

While Kerala and Tamil Nadu had shown an increase in production it declined in Karnataka.

Kerala topped with an output of 9,765 tonnes registering an increase of 13.3 per cent in 2005-06.

Tamil Nadu increased its production by 8.7 per cent to 1,000 tonnes while that in Karnataka declined by 5.5 per cent to 1,775 tonnes.

The farmers are enthused by the good prices since the beginning of the current season in August.

The average price continued to rule above Rs 380 a kg compared to less than Rs 250 a kg last season.

If the current prices sustain through out 2006-07 it would have a positive impact on the next year crop, of course, depending on the weather conditions, they said.

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