The absence of winter showers in Kerala, especially in the Idukki district, has severely affected cardamom plantations here. Hot climate in the region has damaged cardamom plants. The region accounts for 60 per cent of the country’s total production.
Normally, rainfall in January and February helps in growth of new offshoots. But, this season the offshoots are heavily damaged due to dry weather conditions, said growers of Vandanmedu and Udumbanchola area. Around 20 per cent of the plants are damaged in the district as there was no rainfall in the past six-eight weeks.
Cardamom needs cool and watery weather conditions. Less rainfall has made the weather extremely dry in most of the growing areas, thereby affecting the output. Reji Njallani, a grower from Kattappana told Business Standard, the climatic conditions might hit the initial rounds of harvesting during June-July in the next season.
He said farmers had not been keen on growing cardamom this season due to sharp fall in prices and high labour costs. The average price of cardamom fell to Rs 500-520 a kg in the November-January period, from Rs 1,200 a kg during the same period last year. The current price is not attractive as the daily wage for plantation workers had increased. But, even at these wages, there is shortage of labourers for agriculture and allied jobs.
Due to the row over the Mullaperiyar dam between Kerala and Tamil Nadu, a major chunk of the Tamilian labourers had returned to their home state. Idukki district is the most affected area in the case of labour shortage.
Prices are likely to rise now as 95 per cent of harvesting has been completed. The market is now entering off season, so supply will be lower. The price is expected to rise in the next four months. The next harvesting season begins in June. The average price on Wednesday rose to Rs 800 a kg as the arrivals to the auction centres dropped. The average price recorded in March-April period last year was Rs 1,000 a kg.