Erratic Monsoon Decreases Cardamom Crop Production

Kochi: Erratic southwest monsoon this year may delay the next cardamom crop apart from decreasing the output. The plantations in Kerala's Idukki district where much of the crop in the country is cultivated are in a bad shape due to protracted dry spell. The situation has been further aggravated with insufficient rains so far this year making the revival of the plants almost unlikely mainly in the un-irrigated areas. After May 28, there hasn't been any showers and this has affected the flowering and pollination. Hence, given the present unfavourable weather conditions, harvest in the next season would be delayed and the first crop might arrive only by August third week.

According to the Spices Board, the total area under cardamom in the country in 2003-04 was 73,237 hectares and of which the yield area was at 55,221 hectares. Kerala topped with 41,332 ha (with 30,991 ha yielding area) followed by Karnataka with 26,838 ha (20,510 ha) and Tamil Nadu 5,067 ha (3,720 ha). The yield per ha in the three States was very low with 286 kg, 85 kg and 259 kg respectively. The total production during the current season, which has come to an end, is pegged at around 11,000 tonnes from that of last season (Aug - July) provisionally put at 12,540 tonnes.