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G.K. Nair

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Kochi Jan. 19 Cardamom output during the current season (July 2006-June 2007) is likely to drop by 30 per cent due to severe drought conditions prevailing in the country's main growing areas in Kerala's Idukki and Wayanad districts.

Dry spell

The crop in at least 12,000 hectares, which do not have irrigation facilities, would be badly hit by the continuous dry spell.

Water level in the existing check dams, for irrigating around 10,000 hectares under cardamom in Vandanmedu, Chakkupallam, Pooppara and Kattapana area, has dropped alarmingly and with the available water at present, irrigation could be done till mid-Feb, Mr Ashok Kumar, President, Kerala Cardamom Growers Union told Business Line.

According to the latest forecast, the dry spell might continue till March, he said.

In that case, the areas having irrigation facilities would also be badly hit leading to a drop in output.

Irrigated Areas

In fact, the irrigated areas contribute around 75 per cent of the total production while that from the non-irrigated areas used to be 25 per cent.

The current dry spell would bring down the production from this area to 10-15 per cent.

The output from irrigated areas would also be less this season. Thus, the total output during the current season is estimated to be less by 30 per cent, he said.

The dry spell would result in a poor late crop besides delaying the next crop, he said.

Last two years, the cardamom growing areas used to receive at least one shower every month.

But, during the current season there had not been any rains since mid-November, he said.

Soil conditions

The cardamom plants require wet soil conditions through out the year and to maintain it there should have to be 60-70 per cent sunshade. In certain areas, which are under improved variety of cardamom, the shades have been reduced by felling trees on the assumption that more sunshine would increase the yield. But, this has on the contrary adversely affected the crop during the drought conditions.

On the other hand, increased use of pesticides the plantations under improved variety has reduced the honeybee population, which is the pollination agent.

Overall situation

Thus, the overall situation currently is unfavourable for the crop and it might pave the way for a low crop this season, he pointed out.

Out of the total area of 73,237 hectares 41,332 hectare are in Kerala and of this the yielding area comes to 30,991 hectare.

The cardamom output in the country was estimated at 12,540 in 2005-06 and of this around, 9,000 tonne was from Kerala.

The production in 2006-07 in Kerala is estimated to fall 30 - 35 per cent and it has been evident from the drop in arrivals at the auction centres during the current season.

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