vue - TV9 News: Falling Prices, Worries Cardamom Growers in Hassan, Karnataka

TV9 News: Falling Prices, Farmers To Stop Growing Cardamom in Karnataka..., HASSAN: Falling prices, demand and yield have left cardamom growers in Hassan worried. Several farmers in Sakleshpur district have stopped cultivating cardamom, which was grown in over 25,000 hectares in the district in 2000. They are planning to submit a memorandum to both the state and Union governments seeking a loan waiver for Rs 11 crore. "The yield of the crop has come down drastically. This year, only 20,000 to 25,000 kg of cardamom was sold at the three auction centres in the district. The prices hovered between Rs 250 and Rs 800 per kg," said Krishnaiah Gowda, the former president of Karnataka Elakki Belegarara Sangha. In 2000 the district alone produced 1.5 lakh to 2 lakh kg of cardamom and the farmers used to get anything between Rs 800 to Rs 2,000 for one kg. Krishnaiah attributed the fall in the production to "Kokke Kandu", a viral decease. "Five years ago, farmers used to get 2,000 kg of cardamom from four acres. This year, the production has come down to 10 kg in four acres," he said. According to S Sreekrishna Bhat, a scientist attached to the Indian Cardamom Research Institute, Donigal, Sakleshpur taluk, said there was no permanent cure for viral diseases like 'Kokke Kandu' and 'Katte Kandu'. "These diseases are found only in Karnataka. To increase the yield, the farmers can use Nelyadi Bold, a new breed of cardamom," he added. India is considered as the home of cardamom and the second highest producing country after Guatemala.