Cardamom, typically dubbed the “Queen of Spices,” is famend for its wealthy aroma and flavour that enhances every thing from curries to desserts. However past its culinary enchantment lies a shocking financial fact—cardamom cultivation is usually a profitable income-generating alternative for farmers. Its regular demand in each home and worldwide markets helps guarantee comparatively secure costs all year long.
Relying on the standard and selection, dried cardamom fetches between Rs 1,000 and Rs 2,500 per kilogram. Furthermore, cardamom is extensively used throughout industries starting from meals and drinks to medication and cosmetics.
How is cardamom useful for farmers?
Not like seasonal crops that require annual replanting, cardamom is a long-term funding. As soon as planted, it continues to yield for 10 to fifteen years. A well-maintained, one-hectare cardamom plantation can yield between 400 and 800 kg yearly.
At a median market value of Rs 1,500 per kg, this interprets to an revenue of Rs 6 to Rs 12 lakh per 12 months.
After deducting enter prices, the online revenue sometimes ranges from ₹3 to ₹5 lakh per hectare yearly.
What does it take to develop cardamom?
Cardamom cultivation thrives in humid tropical climates with temperatures starting from 10 levels Celsius to 35 levels Celsius and annual rainfall between 1,500 mm and 4,000 mm. Excellent areas embody the Western Ghats (Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu) and elements of Northeast India.
What are the soil and environmental necessities?
Cardamom requires wealthy, well-drained loamy or laterite soils with a pH vary of 5.0 to 7.5. It additionally wants 50–60 per cent pure shade or agroforestry techniques to thrive.
What is the farming course of?
Farmers have to be aware of numerous steps, together with land preparation, planting, spacing, irrigation, and fertiliser utility:
Land Preparation: Deep ploughing and enrichment with compost or cow dung
Planting: Carried out through the monsoon (ideally in July) utilizing rhizomes or suckers
Spacing: 2.5 x 2 m for tall varieties; 2 x 1.5 m for dwarf varieties
Irrigation: Drip irrigation is really useful, particularly throughout dry months
Fertilisers: A balanced mixture of natural (vermicompost, FYM) and chemical (NPK) fertilisers
Cardamom crops begin producing 2–3 years after planting. The pods are harvested at intervals after which sun-dried or mechanically cured to increase shelf life.
Is there any authorities help for cardamom farming?
Sure, the federal government has launched a number of schemes underneath the Nationwide Horticulture Mission (NHM) and the Spices Board of India to help cardamom farmers. These embody:
Subsidies on planting materials
Assist for irrigation techniques (e.g., drip irrigation)
Grants for spice processing and storage items
Technical coaching and illness administration help
Farmers can contact native horticulture departments or regional Spices Board places of work to entry these advantages.
Are there any dangers in cardamom farming?
Like all crops, cardamom cultivation carries dangers similar to fungal illnesses, erratic rainfall, and pest infestations.
Nonetheless, with scientific farming practices, correct shade regulation, and built-in pest administration, these dangers might be considerably diminished. Moreover, constant market demand and alternatives for value-added exports (like natural or powdered cardamom) present farmers with some safety in opposition to value fluctuations.
