South India fears decline in output
The plantation sector in south India is reeling under the impact of heavy, untimely rains. Major plantation crops are expected to show a decline since the peak production season of many crops starts from October.
KOCHI: The plantation sector in south India is reeling under the impact of heavy, untimely rains. Major plantation crops are expected to show a decline since the peak production season of many crops starts from October.
September rains have upset cardamom growers in Kerala. The Spices Board had confirmed 30% shortfall this year due to drought and heavy rains earlier. But now growers feel the crop loss could be much more. Last year the production was over 11,500 tonnes.
Cardamom Growers Association secretary K K Devassia said the current estimate is that the shortfall could be between 40 to 50%. "The rains have caused the cardamom plants to decay. Such plants die away and can’t be saved," he said.
The tea industry is also expecting a decline in the crop due to untimely rains. But the real extent of damage in the main tea growing districts of Idukki and Wayanad is yet to be assessed. Exporters expect a 5 to 10 % drop in production.Rubber crop is also likely to be hit.
According to industry representatives, the outbreak of viral fever and chikungunya among the tappers also resulted in a slowdown in production. The production was expected to pick up since then but now the rains could further hit production. Coffee Board chairman G V Krishna Rau too said the production in 2007-08 would be lower than the earlier estimate of 2,91,000 tonnes. Heavy rains have caused extensive damage to the crop in Wynad area.
The reported fall in production is close to 20% in Wynad district, which produce 40 to 45 % of the total pepper produced in the state.
Vanilla growers too have predicted a lower crop in the coming season. The projected production of dry beans is around 130 tonnes against 200 tonnes last year.
September rains have upset cardamom growers in Kerala. The Spices Board had confirmed 30% shortfall this year due to drought and heavy rains earlier. But now growers feel the crop loss could be much more. Last year the production was over 11,500 tonnes.
Cardamom Growers Association secretary K K Devassia said the current estimate is that the shortfall could be between 40 to 50%. "The rains have caused the cardamom plants to decay. Such plants die away and can’t be saved," he said.
The tea industry is also expecting a decline in the crop due to untimely rains. But the real extent of damage in the main tea growing districts of Idukki and Wayanad is yet to be assessed. Exporters expect a 5 to 10 % drop in production.Rubber crop is also likely to be hit.
According to industry representatives, the outbreak of viral fever and chikungunya among the tappers also resulted in a slowdown in production. The production was expected to pick up since then but now the rains could further hit production. Coffee Board chairman G V Krishna Rau too said the production in 2007-08 would be lower than the earlier estimate of 2,91,000 tonnes. Heavy rains have caused extensive damage to the crop in Wynad area.
The reported fall in production is close to 20% in Wynad district, which produce 40 to 45 % of the total pepper produced in the state.
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Vanilla growers too have predicted a lower crop in the coming season. The projected production of dry beans is around 130 tonnes against 200 tonnes last year.
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