CARDAMOM

Government Schemes and Programmes

1. Extension advisory scheme
2. Cardamom replanting scheme
3. Irrigation and Land development scheme
4. Rainwater harvesting devices in cardamom plantations
5. Scheme for Improved Cardamom Curing Devices for Small Cardamom
6. Pesticide residue test facility for cardamom growers

Extension advisory scheme

The scheme envisages provision of technical guidance/support to growers through regular field visits, farmers meetings, group discussions and seminars. Preparation and distribution of technical literature on identified spices also constitute part of the activity. During 2003-04, 12,690 field visits were conducted and 1,259 farmers meetings and group discussions were organised under the scheme. The expenditure on salary, travelling allowance, office contingencies etc. of staff working in the development department was met under the scheme. The expenditure during 2003 - 04 was Rs. 413.35 lakhs.

Production and supply of quality planting materials

a) Departmental nursery scheme

The seedlings produced in the seven departmental nurseries are supplied to growers on a no loss no profit basis. During 2003-04, the Board produced 4.95 lakhs cardamom seedlings/suckers, 2.26 lakhs pepper rooted cuttings and 2.47 lakhs vanilla rooted cuttings for supply during the 2003-planting season.

b) Certified nursery scheme

i) Bed nursery

This scheme envisages production of seedlings in the farmers' field and distribution thereof. A subsidy of Rs.5, 000/- is offered in two equal instalments per nursery having a production target of 10,000 seedlings. During 2003-04, 6.58 lakh seedlings were produced and distributed from 50 nurseries opened during the previous season. In addition, 50 new nurseries were opened with a total production target of five lakh seedlings.

ii) Polybag nursery

Under the scheme, polybags and seed capsules required to raise individual nurseries having a target of 1000 seedlings are given to the growers by the Board, the cost of which is adjusted in the subsidy of Rs.750/- per nursery. During 2003-04, 1.22 lakh seedlings were raised from 75 nurseries opened during previous season. One hundred new nurseries have been opened with a production target of one-lakh seedlings.

iii) Sucker nursery

Disease free quality suckers are also used as planting materials for propagation of cardamom. In order to produce suckers in a scientific way, the Board assists in opening sucker nurseries in growers' field by providing 10 percent of the cost of production as subsidy subject to a maximum of Rs.10, 000/- per nursery having a production capacity of 10,000 suckers. During 2003-04, 11.58 lakh suckers have been produced and distributed. Hundred such new nurseries with a production target of 10 lakh suckers have been started. The total expenditure for production and supply of planting materials was Rs.49.59 lakh during 2003-04.

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Cardamom replanting scheme

This scheme is intended to encourage small and marginal growers to take up replantation of old, senile and uneconomic plantations. A subsidy of Rs. 9000/- per hectare is offered to small and marginal growers being 12 percent of the cost of replanting and maintenance during gestation period. During 2003-04, an area of 1031.62 hectares was brought under replanting benefiting 1,826 growers. The total expenditure under the scheme was Rs. 106.54 lakhs.

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Irrigation and Land development scheme

a) Western ghat development programme in Kerala

This programme was envisaged to be implemented by the Spices Board with partial financial support of the Western Ghat Development Authority, Government of Kerala. The programme aimed at providing water resources in cardamom plantations by constructing water storage devices like farm ponds and wells. Installation of irrigation equipments, soil & water conservation works and afforestation programmes are also supported. The subsidy at 50 percent of the cost of construction of the water storage devices for small growers owning upto four hectares and 25 percent for growers owning between four to eight hectares subject to a maximum of Rs.16, 000/- per individual beneficiary was to be offered. The cost of irrigation equipments and soil and water conservation works were to be subsidised at 25 percent of cost based on NABARD norms. However, no funds were released by Government of Kerala towards this scheme and the scheme was implemented by offering only the portion of subsidy, which was the share of the Spices Board. During 2003-04, a total of 593 water storage devices were constructed and 152 irrigation equipments installed and soil conservation work carried out in 73.76 hectares. A total of 665 hectares was brought under irrigation and land development with a financial involvement of Rs. 51.54 lakhs benefiting 829 growers.

b) Western ghat development programme in Karnataka

This programme is implemented by the Board and the same is partially financed by the Government of Karnataka under Western Ghat Development Programme. The components of the programme include developing water sources for irrigation and installation of irrigation equipments, soil conservation and afforestation. The programme provides financial support to farmers by way of subsidy ranging from 25 percent to 50 percent of the cost of above components based on norms approved by NABARD. During 2003-04, 95 water storage devices were constructed, 114 irrigation equipments installed and an area of 230 hectares covered under irrigation benefitting 210 growers. The total expenditure under the programme including share of WGDP was Rs. 24.61 lakhs.

c) Western ghat development programme in Tamil Nadu

Spices Board has also launched the scheme in Tamil Nadu with the support of Government of Tamil Nadu under Western Ghat Development programme. The conditions of the scheme is similar to that being implemented in Kerala. During 2003-04, 19 water storage devices were constructed, six irrigation equipments were installed and 43 hectares brought under irrigation. The total expenditure under this scheme was Rs.2.01 lakhs and the scheme benefited 33 growers.

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Rainwater harvesting devices in cardamom plantations

Irrigation during summer months is very much essential in Cardamom plantations for getting a higher yield. A cheap method of harvesting rainwater for irrigation purpose in the Cardamom plantations is using excavated storage tanks lined with UV resistant polythene tarpaulin also called Silpauline. This method of harvesting rainwater for irrigation purpose is becoming popular among the Cardamom and Vanilla growers because of its low cost and convenience. The Spices Board proposes to popularise this method for irrigating cardamom and vanilla plantations.

It is estimated that a storage tank of 200 cu. metre capacity (eg. 16m x 5 m x 2.5m lined with Silpauline) can store about two lakh litres of rainwater, which is sufficient to provide 10 – 12 rounds of irrigation in a cardamom plantation of 0.8 ha. The cost of such a device is estimated to be around Rs. 20,000/- (Rs. 15,000/- for excavation work and Rs. 5,000/- for polythene sheets). Similarly, a 100 cu. metre water storage tank can store one lakh litres of water, which may cost around Rs. 10,000/-. (Rs. 7,500/- for excavation work and Rs. 2,500/- for silpauline sheet). Subsidy @ 33.33% of the actual cost, limited to Rs. 6,666/- is allowed for the construction of one 200 cu. metre capacity tank. A farmer is eligible to construct storage tank of his actual requirement / convenience, but the subsidy will be limited to 33.33% of the total expenditure subject to the monetary ceiling indicated above. Spices Board may arrange for bulk supply of silpauline of given specification. In such cases, the cost of silpauline in excess of the approved rate will not be accepted.

Eligibility

Registered small and marginal growers of Cardamom and growers of Vanilla holding not more than 4 ha and not less than 0.10 ha under Cardamom or Vanilla as the case may be are eligible to avail the benefits under the scheme. The amount of subsidy is limited to 33.33% of the actual cost of setting up of the tank (excavation of the tank and lining with Silapauline), subject to a maximum of Rs. 6,666/- per applicant. Silpauline of approved specification shall have to be used. (120 gauge)

Procedure for implementation of the scheme will be as follows:-

1. Interested growers will submit application in the prescribed format.

2. The Field Officer of the Board will assess the technical / economical feasibility and issue the work permit under intimation to the Assistant Director concerned.

3. On completion of the water storage tank (excavation and lining with Silpauline sheets), the farmer will intimate the same to the Field Officer.

4. The Field Officer will physically verify the construction work, take its measurements and recommend eligible subsidy to the Assistant Director concerned.

5. The Assistant Director will effect the payment.

6. 25% of the cases will be test checked by the Assistant Director and 5% by the Regional Deputy Director / Joint Director and 5% by an Officer nominated by the Director (Dev), Head Office.

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Scheme for Improved Cardamom Curing Devices for Small Cardamom (Description/ Working Procedure)

The objective of the scheme is to popularise the above cardamom drying systems using LPG/ Diesel as fuel among the small growers by providing 33.3 % of the actual cost of drier as subsidy subject to a maximum of Rs. 1.00 lakh. Non-subsidy portion will be met by the growers from their own funds or through institutional finance.

Spices Board may prepare a list of approved suppliers and upper ceiling cost for driers of various capacities. In such case, the driers have to be obtained from approved suppliers and expenditure in excess of approved rates shall not be entertained.

Eligibility

Registered small cardamom growers owning a minimum of area of 0.40 ha. and maximum area of 4 ha. are eligible for assistance to install one drier under the scheme. The capacity of the drier should be proportionate to the expected production and shall be verified by the officers concerned of the Board before giving approval for availing the benefit. Subsidy will be released after satisfactory installation and physical verification by Officers of the Board.

Procedure for implementation of the scheme will be as follows:

1. Interested growers will submit the application in the prescribed format with quotations obtained from approved agencies supplying the drier and accessories.
   2. Field Officer of the Board will assess the technical/ economical feasibility and recommend the eligible applications to the Asst. Director concerned for conveying approval for fabrication and installation of the drier.
   3. The Asst. Director will issue permit order to the eligible cases under intimation to Regional J.D/D.D and H.O.
   4. On completion of installation the matter is to be informed to the Field Office of the Board by the beneficiary submitting bills/ invoice and Field Officer will physically verify the installation and recommend the case to the Asst. Director.
   5. Asst. Director will inspect the case recommended by the Field Officer for effecting payment of eligible subsidy to the beneficiary.
   6. Subsidy claims above Rs. 50,000/- and 25% of the driers installed in the region has to be physically verified invariably by the Regional J.D/D.D before recommending/ effecting payment.
   7. Subsidy claims above Rs. 75,000/- and 10% of the installations are to be test checked by an Officer from H.O. authorized by Director (Dev).

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Pesticide residue test facility for cardamom growers

Facility available at Quality Evaluation Laboratory in Kochi

•  Lab will also undertake soil and leaf testing

•  Farmers told to submit samples at the field offices of the Spices Board

The Spices Board has offered to test cardamom for pesticide residue free of charge for the next three years.

The testing facility will be available at the Quality Evaluation Laboratory of the Spices Board in Kochi. Besides residue test, the lab will also undertake soil and leaf testing free of cost during the next three years.

Farmers have been advised to submit samples either directly or through the field offices of the Spices Board in various locations.

The Spices Board has also made arrangements to address the problems faced by the farmers and set up a telephone facility for them.

The phone number to be contacted is 04868 - 237870. Scientists from all the departments would be available on first and third Fridays of every month to meet the farmers and attend to their queries.

The Spices Board has advised the farmers to strictly follow the directives under the integrated pest and disease management practices laid down by the board and to stop indiscriminate use of toxic chemicals.

The board has informed cardamom farmers about the great demand for organic spices. It has also decided to compile elite land races and good cultivation practices by cardamom farmers. The aim is to finally bring out a common Good Agriculture Practice manual for cardamom.

Meanwhile, the board has given clear-cut directives on the cess and levies that could be collected from cardamom farmers by auctioneers.

The associations concerned have been informed of the directives and any violation would be dealt with appropriately.

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Last updated: 28-04-2008