Business Daily from THE HINDU group of publications
Thursday, Mar 29, 2007
ePaper
Business Daily from THE HINDU group of publications Thursday, Mar 29, 2007 ePaper |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Agri-Biz & Commodities
-
Spices & Condiments Industry & Economy - Climate & Weather States - Kerala Cardamom plantations hit by prolonged dry spell G.K. Nair
Impact Plants in an estimated 15,000 ha and water resources dry up. Dry spell reduces yield affecting income of the growers. Inputs cost have gone up by 10-15 per cent.
Kochi March 28 Severe drought conditions prevailing in the cardamom growing areas in Kerala, the main producer of the aromatic spice in the country, said to have dried up plants in an estimated 15,000 hectares. The plantations having irrigation facilities have also been hit now as the water resources have dried up. The impact of high temperature on the plants, which were receiving irrigation until few days back is serious, Mr T. Ashokkumar, President, Kerala Cardamom Growers Union, told Business Line on Tuesday. He said 50 per cent of the total plantations was under irrigation and for the past 25 days, it could not be irrigated for want of water, he said. Almost all the plants have dried up, he said. The plants cannot withstand prolonged dry spell, as it requires wet soil conditions. "We used to get on an average, one shower every month during summer. But, from November there hasn't been any rain so far".
Output drop
The current situation would result in an estimated drop of 25-30 per cent in output from that of last season estimated around 9,765 tonnes. The picking has already come to an end as is evident from the decline in arrivals at the auctions. The total output during the current season, he claimed, might come to around 7,000 tonnes. Besides, the impact would be reflected on the crop next season also. The next crop would not only be late but also lower, he said. Around 85 per cent of the national production of cardamom is from Kerala.
Growers income
The decline in output this season has pushed up the prices to moderate levels. But the dry spell has reduced the yield affecting the total income of the growers, he claimed. Add to this the inputs cost had gone up by 10-15 per cent. The total loss inflicted by the drought would come to an estimated Rs 200 crore, he said. Replanting of the damaged plants would entail fresh investments, he said. On the other hand, improved variety planting materials weblre also not sufficiently available, he said.
Plea to Centre
Given this precarious situation, he urged the Union Government to take measures to waive at least the interest on loans availed by the growers amounting to Rs 400 crore from nationalised and other banks. He claimed that the Tamil Nadu Government had decided to waive Rs 7,000 crore agricultural loans including that taken by cardamom growers given by the cooperative banks. The total area under cardamom in the country was 73,237 hectares in 2003-04 of which 55,221 ha was yielding. Kerala had 41,332 ha followed by Karnataka (26,838 ha) and Tamil Nadu (5,067 ha).
More Stories on : Spices & Condiments | Climate & Weather | Kerala
Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page
|
Stories in this Section |
|
The Hindu Group: Home | About Us | Copyright | Archives | Contacts | Subscription Group Sites: The Hindu | The Hindu ePaper | Business Line | Business Line ePaper | Sportstar | Frontline | The Hindu eBooks | The Hindu Images | Home |
Copyright © 2007, The
Hindu Business Line. Republication or redissemination of the contents of
this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of
The Hindu Business Line
|