The Hindu Business Line : Centre clears scheme for cardamom curing

THE Union Government has cleared two Spices Board schemes involving an outlay of Rs1.33 crore for improved cardamom curing devices and rainwater harvesting for irrigation in small cardamom and vanilla plantations during the current financial year.

The schemes are proposed to support small and marginal growers of cardamom and vanilla owning up to four hectares, according to an official press release.

Under the scheme for improved curing devices, cardamom growers will be eligible for assistance at the rate of 33.33 per cent of the actual cost of drier, subject to a maximum of Rs 1 lakh.

The objective of the scheme is to popularise the cardamom drying systems using LPG/diesel as fuel in the States of Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

The non-subsidy portion will be met by the growers from their own funds or through institutional finance.

It is proposed to support creation of rainwater harvesting system by small and marginal growers of cardamom and vanilla by providing 33.33 per cent subsidy of the cost subject to a ceiling of Rs 6,666.

The scheme for improved cardamom curing devices will help in reducing the cost of processing since cardamom is dried in traditional curing houses using firewood as fuel. Drying in the sun results in loss of green colour during the process.

As the productivity/production is registering an upward trend year after year, the firewood requirement is also on the rise leading to deforestation.

Few growers have installed cardamom curing systems using alternate fuels such as diesel, LPG which gives their produce better colour and cost effective drying. These driers are eco-friendly, labour saving and easy to operate.

The harvested green cardamom can be put into the drying chamber of these new curing systems after washing, instead of spreading it on the trays as is practised in the conventional method. The drying time is reduced from 28-36 hours to about 20 hours in these driers.

The scheme for rain water harvesting devices in cardamom and vanilla plantations envisages creation of a cheap method of harvesting rain water for irrigation purpose using excavated storage tanks lined with UV resistant polythene tarpaulin, also called silpauline.

Registered small and marginal growers of cardamom and vanilla holding not more than four hectares and not less than 0.10 hectare are eligible for the scheme.

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