Continuous rains hit pepper crop
The Hindu
Adding to the woes of farmers is the uncontrolled import of inferior quality spice
Pepper growers are worried about the dip in production this year due to erratic climate in parts of Hassan, Chikkamagaluru and Kodagu districts. Continuous rains increased the moisture level in the soil, causing damage to pepper vines. Several growers fear the yield will not be even 50% of last year. In 2020-21, production was 65,000 tonnes.
“Many estates, where annual yield was around 40 tonnes, may not get more than 10 tonnes,” said Prabhu who manages an estate in Mudigere taluk in Chikkamagaluru district. Continuous rains increased the moisture level in the soil and did not allow formation of catkins. Harvesting normally begins in February, he added.
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