The Hindu Business Line : Output of plantation crops dips on drought

DROUGHT has affected cardamom output by about 40 per cent in Kerala and 25 per cent in Karnataka, according to a press release by the United Planters' Association of Southern India (Upasi).

Production in the 2002-03 season could be around 7,500 tonnes compared to the all-time record of 11,000 tonnes in the previous season. Cardamom being a fragile plant prolonged drought conditions have affected the plant itself and in some pockets, about 10-15 per cent of the plants themselves have died, the release said.

Pepper, an inter crop in coffee and tea plantations, is also expected to be lower by 50 per cent in Kerala and 40 per cent in Karnataka. Output in 2002-03 season could be 42,000 tonnes against the normal crop of 75,000 tonnes.

All four plantation crops - tea, coffee, rubber and cardmom — have been affected by the failure of monsoon, said Mr I.J.J. Rebello, President, Upasi.

Upasi Tea Research Foundation estimates 2002 southern tea production to be substantially lower at 186 mkg compared to 203 mkg in 2001. All India tea export has declined to 180 mkg in 2001 from 207 mkg in 2000 and there was a further fall in shipments during the first half of the current year.

Mr Rebello said the drought had affected the growth of coffee bushes and a further decline in crop for the 2003-04 could be expected. The Coffee Board has already estimated a fall in volumes at 2,80,000 tonnes in 2002-03 compared to 3,00,600 tonnes in 2001-02. Export of coffee declined to 2,02,000 tonnes in the financial year 2001-02 from 2,47,000 tonnes in 2000-01 and shipments have shown a further declining trend so far in the current financial year.

The real effect of the drought on rubber production will be known only in the latter half of the year when the peak production starts, said the release.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section
Banks seek autonomy to fix limits for farm lending

SLBC draws up plan to disburse Rs 4,036 cr to drought-hit farmers in AP

Breakthrough in captive catfish breeding

Shrimp prices on the rise

Mahindra outfit to foray into vegetable contract farming

Output of plantation crops dips on drought

Plan to export more rubber

Cane arrears cross Rs 2,300 cr

July oilmeal exports look up

Coffee's cup of woe spills over

Depressed coffee prices hurt global producers

Pepper cuts salmonella risk in poultry: Study

Monsoon delay may impact oleoresin trade

Food safety seminar from Aug 8

Pungent show