Future of cardamon bleak in Sikkim

Gangtok, Mar 19 (UNI) Large cardamom, one of the major cash crops of this tiny himalayan state of Sikkim is heading towards a bleak uture.

Fall in the yield of black cardamom over the last few years is creating an apprehension about the future of the crop in the state.

So far Sikkim enjoyed monoply of sorts in the cultivation of the crop and was credited with the distinction of being the largest cardmom growing state of the world.

Out of the total 5,292 tonne of cardamom produced in the country, Sikkim produces around 4.7 thousand tonnes.

With India capturing 60 per cent of the global market for black cardamom, it is the largest black cardamom growing country in the world followed by Nepal with 33 per cent and Bhutan 13 per cent.

Sikkim is considered to be the largest producer of black cardamom in India as more than 80 per cent of the total black cardamom comes from the state. Unfortunately, over the last few years the per hectare yield of the crop has down from 250 kg in 1975-76 to 151 kg in 2004-05 due to old age plants, poor replantation and diseases.

State Horticulture Secretary G K Gurung said around 80 per cent of the bushes needed immediate replantation as they had passed their productive life of 12-15 years.

Mr Gurung said that though the department was regularly organising awareness campaigns, workshops, meetings to sensitise the cardamom farmers to go for replantation, no body was paying any heed.

He feared that the cardamom crop might go the orange way if no corrective measures were taken by the farmers soon.

Sikkim, once known for its good quality oranges had already lost the crop due to poor replantation.

Since many in rural areas depend upon black cardamom as the main cash crop for their livelihood, the impact of falling yield is likely to spell dissaster said a report in the recently released economic survey.

MORE UNI BD PC SP AKP1026