Indian cardamom production is likely to double within four years to 24,000 tonne, Spices Board chairman VJ Kurian said. The massive re-plantation and rejuvenation exercise undertaken by the board would yield the result in four years, he said.
“The board is spending Rs 122 crore (for four years), out of which Rs 50 crore will be used in the state of Kerala alone,” he said. “Farmers are positively reacting to the scheme and the results are encouraging,” he added.
The total area to be replanted is 28,000 hectares, of which 10,000 hectares is in Kerala and Tamil Nadu and 18,000 hectares in Karnataka. About 15,000 hectares will be rejuvenated in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Indian cardamom production touched peak of 12,540 tonne in 2005-06 and dropped to less than 8,000 in 2007-08 after being devastated by erratic rains in the producing region.
The Board has also planned for the marketing of the increased output and is likely to concentrate on the nutraceutical benefits of cardamom to push more exports, Kurian said.
Spices Board will also establish a common facility centre in Idukki district for cardamom farmers, board sources said. Board has identified 12 acres of land in Kuttady, near Vandanmedu for the centre, which will have facilities for drying, grading and packing of cardamom.
Source: Financial Express
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