Blight hits cardamom production

Cardamom growers in Idukki district of Kerala are being hit by a crop disease which is spreading quickly, without a cure in sight. The continuous rain of the past 45 days is aiding the spread.

Seasonal output is likely to fall at least 30 per cent from a normal 18,000 tonnes; the impact is more in certain areas. India is the world's second largest producer (Guatemala is first) and Kerala produces the majority of the crop.

Spices Board officials have told farmers to spray Bordeaux mixture, of copper sulphate and slaked lime, a fungicide but this does not seem to help. Growers are panicking, as harvesting begins this month and the first round of plucking is over in some plantations. Reji Njallani, a grower in Kattappana, says fungicides are not effective and most farmers feel a virus is the culprit.

The strong rain - some say the district hasn't seen so much in 20 years - has also affected processing of cardamom. Reji said incessant rainfall also affects flowering of plants, since there has there has been no sunshine at all for several weeks.

The price of the commodity was Rs 570/kg in today's auction trading; it was Rs 613, a month before and Rs 767 in July last year.