Role of Spices in Economic Sphere:Idukki

Role of Spices in Economic Sphere: Idukki

Kerala history linked with its commerce, which in turn was wholly dependent until recent times on its spice trade Kerala. Kerala was known for its spice and travellers around the world journeyed here to trade and to gain control over the rich land. It is believed that the spice trade dates back to three thousand years. Pepper still remains the kings of Kerala’s spice but Idukki also has a very rich produce in Cardamom, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Ginger. As in the part, Idukki contains to be the spice capital of the world.

Over twelve varieties of spice including Ginger, Garlic, Cardamom, Vanilla, Pepper, Cinnamon, Coffee, Tea, Clove, Nutmeg, are cultivated in Idukki and the surrounding areas.Major contribution of spices and condiments is from Idukki district in all the years and is 31.05% during 2016-2017

Pepper

Idukki and Wynad is the two major pepper producing district in Kerala. Pepper is grown is virtually in every farm holding or homestead garden and hence is deeply associated with income and livelihood of majority farmers. Pepper is estimated to contribute about 20% of the agricultural income of the district. Pepper produced in Idukki has better quality and productivity is higher when compared to other district suitable for investing on programmes for increasing the yield. Varieties widely grown in the district are local land races such as Karimunda, Neelamundi, Kuthiravali, Chengannoran etc. Idukki district stands first position with an area of 43,790 Ha and the contribution to the state total is 51.39%.

Cardamom

A high range of Kerala is famous for its variety of spices. Cardamom is one of the main spices producing there. It contributes a major portion of the foreign revenue of the country. Elevation, cool climate, and high rainfall are essential for good growth and economically viable yield of cardamom. However it grows profusely under shade with irrigation in low ranges also.

In Idukki district, Udumbanchola Taluk alone has 28306 hectares of cardamom plantation. The cardamom is cultivated mainly in Udumbanchola Taluk. On an average, Kerala contribute to 70%of the national production of Cardamom in which also Idukki contributes the maximum share in 1990-91, the district had 55,174 hectares under cardamom. In the production processed cardamom, the district is first with 7232 tones. There was only 32,723 hectares of area under this crop during 2010-2011. It was about 79.34%of total area under this crop in the state. It was about 79.34% of the total area under this crop in the state.

Clove

Clove is of the myrtacaea family and is a dried flower bud, which has a strong pungent smell. Clove is the type of plant which can be grown in any part of country except the coastal area where it is sandy but the best and most suitable areas is red soil in Kerala. In Kerala, Idukki has the highest production among all 14 districts so far, producing 46 tonnes in the year 2013-2014.

Coffee

Coffee plantation occupies 15,400 hectares in Devikulam, Peerumade, Thodupuzha and Udumbanchola taluk of Idukki. The average yield per hectare is 320 metric tonnes. In Idukki district coffee is grown in 9389 hectares. The cultivation of coffee provided an additional income to growers of other kind of crops. Coffee production of the district has second position with 8150 tonnes

Tea

 The main tea producing areas in Idukki district constitute about 24,000 hectares. The average yield of good estates is about 453,592 kg of prepared tea per 0.40 hectares. Today tea is cultivated on 24,000 hectares in Munnar, Peerumade, Devikulam areas with an annual yield of 47568 metric tons.  In Peerumade and Vandanmade areas, they are small tea estates. The Kannan Devan Tea Estates and factories are found at Devikulam district. Another important plantation called The Malayalam plantation is situated at Peerumade Taluk.

Nutmeg

Nutmeg is the seed or ground spice of several spices of the genus. It was largely cultivated in Idukki. It was most important commercial spices. The first harvest of nutmeg trees take place seven to nine years after planting, and the trees reach full production after twenty years. The economies of scale seem to appear in nutmeg oil processing, meaning that in increasing production quantity, the cost decrease, while net profit and family income increase.

Agriculture

The district is characterized by large migration of people from Kerala’s main land and also labors from neighboring state of Tamilnadu. During 1890-1920 on account of plantation, people came to this place to work in plantation. While during 1920-30 the migration was on account of the poverty, due to after the effect of World Wars. In 1951 under grow more scheme 1500 acres of land was allotted to 1000 persons, which made more people migrate to this district. The migrated peoples cleared forest for agriculture. Most of the people follow a method of slash and burn or shifting cultivation. 

Agriculture is the main occupation of the people. Dairy is the supplementary source of income of the farmers here. Cardamom, tea, coffee, rubber, coconut, pepper, tapioca, rice, sugarcane, ginger, and vegetables are the most important agricultural produces. The district stands second in the state in agriculture produces.  One third of the peoples of Idukki are engaged in agriculture. Agriculturist and agriculture laborers constitute the bulk of the population. More than 80% of cropped area is under cash crops.

Cardamom, tea, rubber, and coffee, account for more than 50% of total cropped areas and pepper occupies about 20%. A major portion of this district is unsuitable for cultivation because of undulating topography and non-availability of irrigational facilities.  Recently floriculture, mushroom cultivation, medicinal plants, vanilla cultivation, and the like are being taken up by some progressive farmers and women in the district.

Coconut, pepper and other crops cultivated in Thodupuzha Taluk and Peerumade Taluk of the District. Coconut plantation covers an area of 20830 hectares. Idukki stands first with larger area under sugarcane.

Idukki stands first cultivation with large area under jack cultivation and jack production is also highest with 50 million tonnes. In cocoa production Idukki stands first with 5397 tonnes. In the production of clove also district is first with 49 tonnes.

Garlic is cultivated only in Idukki district. The other crops cultivated in the District are tapioca, coffee, banana, arecanut, ginger, turmeric, etc. In ginger cultivation, the district had the area of 697 hectares during 2010-2011.

Animal husbandry activities are the major subsidiary occupation of farming community. Extensive pasture, grazing lands and favorable climate make the district suitable for rearing. Livestock wealth has great significance in the agricultural economy of the district.

Crop season:

In Kerala, the agricultural year is June- July. The period of sowing of different crops depend mainly on the rainy season. Sowing of pepper starts in May-July, Cardamom during November –January, arecanut in May-June, coffee in June and rubber in August-September.

Irrigation:

The main source of water for irrigation is rainfall and the tail waters of Hydro-Electric projects. The Malankara Irrigation Dam, meant to impound the tail waters of Idukki project, irrigate the western portion of Thodupuzha Taluk and some portion of Kottayam District. The ground water resources of the district as a whole is reported to be very poor except in certain localities. The irrigation in the district is mostly through innumerable streams and natural ponds.

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