Idukki: A surge in temperatures has intensified concerns among cardamom farmers, especially small-scale cultivators who have suffered crop losses due to heatwaves in recent years. Last year, several estates saw severe crop wilting, except those with natural shade from tree branches. This year, anticipating extreme heat, farmers have avoided trimming tree branches, yet plants in open plots without cover continue to wilt.

To combat the summer heat, farmers are using green nets and collecting water from streams and ponds. However, without summer rainfall, these sources will dry up, leaving small-scale farmers in distress as only large-scale cultivators have access to dedicated irrigation systems.

What other challenges are farmers facing?
Cardamom plants in high-range regions are wilting, and infestations of insects, mite diseases, fusarium root attacks, and flower withering are further disrupting production.

A drop in production usually triggers a price hike. However, this time, prices have increased only slightly. In the Kattappana market, the highest price has reached ₹3,000. Large companies and auction agencies attribute this to low-quality cardamom. Additionally, allegations suggest that re-auctioning and repooling of low-quality stock are artificially inflating production figures.

Auction agencies are reportedly engaging in malpractices by purchasing cardamom at lower prices during market slumps. Farmers recall that in August 2019, when cardamom prices hit ₹7,000, the cost of fertilisers and pesticides had also tripled. Additionally, increased wages for both local and Tamil Nadu labourers have further driven up production costs.