Have land in the Western Ghats. Is cardamom a good cash crop.
How to start cardamom farming in hill areas?
TThomas Joseph11mo ago · 325 views
3 Answers
🌾Farmer.in Krishi TeamExpert ✓10mo ago
Small cardamom is a valuable spice crop suited to shaded, high-rainfall hill areas like Idukki in Kerala and parts of the Western Ghats at suitable altitude. It is a perennial that starts bearing in about 2 to 3 years and continues for several years with care. It needs filtered shade, cool moist climate, rich organic soil and good irrigation in dry months. Use high-yielding planting material from the Spices Board or a reliable nursery. Returns can be strong because cardamom commands high prices, but it is sensitive to drought, pests and price swings, and curing quality matters for grade. The Spices Board offers support, training and market info. Plan for the 2 to 3 year gestation before income starts. Confirm current Spices Board schemes and rates locally.
MMathew Kurian10mo ago
Curing makes or breaks your price. A proper curing setup or a good drier gives you bright green capsules that fetch a much higher grade than badly dried ones. We share a curing unit among a few growers to keep the cost down. Plan for that before your first big harvest.
AAnnamma Varghese10mo ago
Be ready for the two to three year wait before any real income, and irrigation in the dry months is not optional, drought years have hurt many Idukki growers. If you need quick cash from your land, cardamom alone is risky. Some growers intercrop with pepper on the shade trees to spread the risk. Check what suits your plot with the Spices Board office.