Training for Cardamom Farmers in Kerala from 2nd March to 5th March 2023

06 Mar, 2023

Cardamom is the queen of spices in India. Idukki district in Kerala is the leading producer for Cardamom. However, Cardamom plantations are facing a lot of challenges due to climate change and overuse of agro-chemicals has resulted in degradation of soil and water quality, loss of biodiversity, loss of productivity, and hence the declining quality of Cardamom. Heavy usage of pesticides is a threat to biodiversity as well as the farmers’ health living around such cardamom plantations. Increased climate change extremes, emergence of new pathogens, insects and pests have caused new challenges to the farmers. Thus, there is a need to create awareness about the ill-effects of heavy usage of pesticides as well as available alternative solutions to manage Cardamom plantations by Integrated Pest and Disease Management. Other important aspects in this regard are Integrated Nutrient Management which is an essential component for safe-to-eat Cardamom production.

DPP GIZ-AVT McCormick project organized a series of trainings on Sustainable Cardamom Cultivation practices from 2^nd to 5^th March 2023 with Cardamom farmers in Kerala. On 2^nd March, around 50 farmers from Kallar village participated in the training at Admialy, Kerala. Dr. Poonam Pande, Project Manager, GIZ, briefed everyone about the project and Mr. Ashok Nair, Head of Sustainable Agri Operations, AVT McCormick explained the requirements for sustainable and safe-to-consume Cardamom production. He also talked about the components of sustainability and the procedure for FSA certification.

Dr. Dorairaj, expert on organic and sustainable farming, explained the role and functions of biological agents and described how these will help manage pest and disease attacks effectively without harming biodiversity and soil health. A brainstorming session on the importance of biodiversity for the Cardamom plantation was carried out and the group of farmers participated with their inputs. Dr. Vijiyan, expert on pest and diseases, spoke about Integrated Pest and Disease Management for Cardamom plantation. Ms. Pradnya Thombare, GIZ, explained the process of in-house preparation of biological formulations such as Jeevemrut, Amritpani, use of waste decomposers etc., and their application rate as well as storage procedures. She also demonstrated the process for installing vermicompost beds, and use of waste decomposers and Neem oils, etc.

The second training on Organic Cardamom Cultivation Practices was organized at Adimaly on 3rd March 2023 for the farmer groups from Mankulam Panchayat. Around 45 farmers participated and showed their great enthusiasm for organic practices. This training focused on certification procedures for organic farming.

Mr. Abraham Chacko sharing his experiences in Organic Cardamom production at training at Adimaly, ©Pradnya Thombare/GIZ

These training programs were followed by sensitization workshops at Karunapuram village and Thoukupalam with farmers from Malanandam Farmers Producer Company. Around 50 farmers participated in the sensitization program. Mr. Ashok Nair and Dr. Poonam Pande interacted with farmers to understand their challenges regarding safe-to-consume cardamom production. Farmers talked about indiscriminate use of agrochemicals, unavailability of bio -pesticides, lack of scientific knowledge for the usage of appropriate agrochemical etc. Farmers gained knowledge of alternative solutions for these agrochemicals which can reduce their cost of cultivation as well as increase their net income. Fluctuating market prices as well as compliance with changing and stringent pesticide residues regulation (CTI) is another main concern for the farmers. Mr. Ashok talked about how training and capacity building through the project DPP GIZ-AVT have benefited smallholder spice farmers for Turmeric and Cumin crops in Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan respectively. Farmers showed great eagerness to learn and adopt good and sustainable agricultural practices to produce safe-to-consume Cardamom.

Sensitization workshop at Karunapuram Village, ©Pradnya Thombare/GIZ

Field Visit in Cardamom plantation at Thoukupalam village, ©Pradnya Thombare/GIZ

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About the project

The ‘Enhancement of Smallholder Spice Farmer’s Capacities in Sustainable Farming’ aims to strengthen the production of cardamom, cumin, and turmeric in four states of India - Kerala Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Rajasthan - to increase the capacities of spice farmers to make production practices more economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable.

The project is part of the develoPPP.de Programme implemented by GIZ on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The lead executing agency for this project is AVT McCormick. develop.PPP was set up by BMZ to involve the private sector in areas where business opportunities and development policy initiatives overlap. Read More

For more information contact: biodiv.india@giz.de