Spice

Large Cardamom Farming in India 2026

Sikkim's prized smoke dried mountain spice, the pride of the eastern Himalayas.

Overview

Large cardamom, Amomum subulatum, is a perennial cash crop of the eastern Himalayas and is quite different from small green cardamom. Its large brown pods have a bold, smoky aroma because they are traditionally dried over wood fires. Sikkim is by far the leading producer, contributing the great majority of India's large cardamom area and output, with important pockets in Darjeeling and Kalimpong in West Bengal and in parts of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and other northeastern states. It is usually grown under the shade of forest trees on hill slopes, often as part of agroforestry that protects soil and water. The crop supports many smallholder mountain families and earns strong revenue for the region. Production has declined in recent decades due to viral diseases, ageing plantations and climate stress, so replanting with healthy suckers and disease management are central to reviving yields.

Climate

Large cardamom thrives in the cool, moist climate of the eastern Himalayas at altitudes of roughly 600 to 2000 metres. It needs well distributed rainfall of around 2000 to 3500 millimetres, high humidity and partial shade from forest trees. It cannot tolerate dry heat or prolonged drought, and yields are best in mist laden hill conditions with mild temperatures.

Soil

It grows best on deep, well drained, humus rich forest loams on hill slopes, typically slightly acidic with pH around 5 to 6. The shallow rooted clumps need a cool, moist, organic surface, so the leaf litter and shade of forest trees are valuable. Steep, eroded or waterlogged sites are unsuitable.

Planting & Spacing

Large cardamom is propagated mainly from suckers taken from healthy, disease free clumps, and sometimes from seedlings raised in nurseries. Suckers are planted in pits on shaded hill slopes, usually before or during the monsoon, at spacing of about 1.5 metres so clumps have room to spread. Shade trees like the local alder are grown alongside to provide canopy and improve soil. Economic yield generally begins from around the fourth year.

Varieties

Large cardamom has several traditional cultivars suited to different altitudes, including types known locally as Ramsey, Sawney, Golsey, Ramnag and Bharlange among others. Lower belts favour Golsey while higher belts favour Ramsey and Sawney type clones. Choosing the right altitude matched cultivar and using virus free planting material strongly affect yield and disease resistance.

Care & Management

Care includes maintaining the right shade by managing forest and alder trees, regular weeding, mulching with leaf litter and removing old, dried and diseased shoots. Trenches and contour measures on slopes help drainage and reduce erosion. Replanting blocks once clumps age beyond their productive years keeps the plantation yielding. Roguing out virus infected clumps quickly is essential to protect healthy ones.

Pests & Diseases

Viral diseases, especially chirke and foorkey, are the most serious threat and can wipe out yields over time, spread by aphids and infected suckers. Leaf spot and rhizome rot also occur in wet conditions. Management depends on planting only virus free suckers, promptly removing and destroying infected clumps, controlling aphids and keeping plantations healthy with good shade and drainage.

Yield & Harvest

Capsules are harvested when fully mature, usually in autumn around September to November depending on altitude, by picking the spikes at the base of the clump. The fresh capsules are then dried, traditionally over wood fired bhattis, which gives the characteristic smoky flavour, though improved flue or electric dryers reduce smoke taint and improve quality. Reported dry yields commonly range from a few hundred kilograms per hectare in well managed mature plantations, varying with age, altitude and disease.

Cost & Profit

Large cardamom is a strong earner for hill farmers, with wholesale prices in recent periods commonly reported in the range of about 1600 to 2100 rupees per kilogram, though rates swing with crop size and demand. Returns build up from the fourth year and continue for many years if disease is controlled. Use these figures only as a guide and confirm current prices at regulated markets and with the Spices Board before planning.

These are indicative ranges. Actual cost and income vary by region, market and management, so verify locally.

Market & Demand

Large cardamom is sold to traders and through markets in Sikkim, Siliguri and other northeastern hubs, and a good share is exported, with countries in South Asia and the Middle East being important buyers. Better, less smoky drying and clean grading earn higher prices. The Spices Board supports improved dryers, replanting and quality upgrading for this crop.

Subsidy & Support

The Spices Board supports large cardamom through replanting and rehabilitation programmes, distribution of improved dryers and disease free planting material, and productivity schemes in the northeastern states. State horticulture missions in Sikkim and the northeast also assist. Check current eligibility and subsidy levels with the Spices Board regional office and your state department.

Where to grow it in India

Assam West Bengal

BaksaAssamBajaliAssamBarpetaAssamAlipurduarWest BengalBankuraWest BengalPaschim BardhamanWest Bengal

Frequently asked questions

How is large cardamom different from small cardamom?

Large cardamom has bigger brown pods with a bold, smoky flavour from wood fire drying, and grows in cool eastern Himalayan hills like Sikkim. Small green cardamom has small green pods with a sweet, light aroma and grows in the warm shaded Western Ghats. They are different plants used in different dishes.

Why is large cardamom production declining?

Mainly because of viral diseases like chirke and foorkey, ageing plantations and climate stress such as erratic rain and warming. Replanting with virus free suckers, removing infected clumps and better shade and drainage management are the main ways to revive yields.

When does large cardamom start giving economic yield?

Economic yield generally begins from around the fourth year after planting and can continue for many years, often up to about twenty, if the plantation is kept healthy and disease is controlled.

Why does large cardamom have a smoky smell?

Because it is traditionally dried over wood fires in bhattis, which adds a smoky aroma. Improved flue pipe and electric dryers are now promoted to reduce smoke taint and produce cleaner, higher quality pods that fetch better prices.

Can large cardamom be grown without shade trees?

Not well. It naturally grows under forest canopy and needs partial shade and a cool, moist environment. Shade trees such as the local alder also improve soil and protect slopes, so most successful plantations are grown as agroforestry rather than in open sun.

Want help to start or connect with farmers growing this?

Ask the community Join the Sangh