State to see a dip in cardamom production this year

Shortage of labour, adverse climatic conditions cited as reasons

Cardamom production in the State is likely to dip significantly this year with the crop cycle witnessing serious disruption due to shortage of labour and heavy rain. COVID-19 curbs have resulted in shortage of hands to maintain cardamom holdings. While workers from north India are available, their lack of experience has been an issue. At the same time, workers from Theni district in Tamil Nadu have been hit by pandemic restrictions, said Muthusami Murugan, professor and head of the Cardamom Research Station at Pampadumpara under the Keala Agricultural University. He said around 10,000 workers moved in and out of cardamom plantations in Kerala on a daily basis. But COVID-19 restrictions affected garden maintenance that should be completed in a regular cycle.