Unpredictable Weather Threatens Kerala’s Plantation Crops!
Kerala’s key plantation crops—cardamom, tea, pepper, and rubber—are facing a challenging season due to excessive rainfall and erratic climatic conditions across the growing regions.
Heavy rains during March, April, and May have severely impacted cardamom plantations. Strong winds caused tree falls, while persistent moisture led to fungal infections such as capsule rot (azhukal) and rhizome rot (clump rot).
These issues have reduced productivity by an estimated 10–15%, with this year’s output likely to fall to around 30,000 tonnes.
Given the lower carryover stock compared to last year, market prices are expected to remain firm. Auction rates are currently hovering around ₹2,450 per kg, according to S B Prabhakar, a cardamom grower from Idukki.
Rubber tapping has also suffered due to early morning downpours, even affecting rain-guarded trees. The rains caused significant leaf fall, which is expected to reduce yields.
George Valy, President of the Indian Rubber Dealers Federation, noted that around 20–25 tapping days were lost during May and June. However, with the rains now easing, tapping has resumed, and the sector is hopeful for improved yields in the coming months.
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