Lok Sabha Question No. 4889 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-01
Subject: Decline of Pepper Cultivation in Kerala
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Dr. M P Abdussamad Samadani

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4889

TO BE ANSWERED ON 01 ST  APRIL, 2025

## DECLINE OF PEPPER CULTIVATION IN KERALA

4889.  DR. M P ABDUSSAMAD SAMADANI:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ͪष एवं ͩकसान कãयाण मंğी be pleased to state:

- (a)   whether the Government is aware of the decline in pepper cultivation in Kerala;
- (b)  the details of  major reasons for this decline, including climate change, pests and low prices;
- (c)  the details of impact of reduced pepper production on farmers' income and exports; and
- (d) the steps taken by the Government to support pepper farmers, including price stabilization, research and promotion of high-yielding varieties?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण राǛ मंũी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)

- (a):   The area under pepper cultivation in Kerala has declined from 85,431 hectare in 201415 to 72,669 hectare in 2023-24. During the same period, pepper production also declined from 40,690 tonnes to 30,798 tonnes.
- (b):   The factors that were identified as the major reasons for the decline in pepper production in Kerala are as under:
-  Incidence  of  pests,  Pollu  and  diseases  such  as  foot  rot  and  slow  decline,  poses significant  challenges  in  black  pepper  cultivation.  In  Kerala,  the  estimated  yield reduction due to these factors ranges between 8% and 10%.
-  The unprecedented flood situation faced by the State during 2018 and 2019 affected several crops including black pepper. The floods occurred at a time when the price of the commodity was low. This led to a lack of interest by farmers in the crop resulting in poor management and low yields. The low prices continued in the subsequent years till 2021-22 during which the area under black pepper declined further.
-  Lack of sufficient soil and moisture conservation measures resulting in deterioration of soil nutrition and moisture.
-  Fluctuation in pepper prices and incursion by other lucrative crops with better price.

(c): In Kerala, mainly observed cultivation system for pepper is an 'extensive homestead cultivation' where pepper cultivation is taken up interspersed with several other crops.  It is also cultivated as a mixed crop on shade trees in coffee plantations. In the mixed crop system, the farmer is supported by income from other crops. Further, pepper price trend in the past shows a cyclic pattern. The very long shelf-life of pepper provides farmers with the advantage of waiting for remunerative prices without going for the distress sale.

The export of black pepper has shown a fluctuating trend, mainly influenced by the availability  of  pepper  in  other  producing  countries  and  the  price  of  Indian  black  pepper. Usually,  the  price  of  Indian  black  pepper  is  higher  compared  to  that  of  other  producing countries and finds its niche market where Indian pepper by virtue of its quality is preferred over the produce of other countries.

(d): Government  of  India,  under  MIDH,  implements  programmes  through  Kerala  State Horticulture  Mission  to  enhance  production  and  productivity  of horticulture  crops  including pepper. The major components among them are, distribution of quality planting materials, area  expansion/establishment  of  new  garden,  rejuvenation  and  rehabilitation  of  senile gardens, promotion of IPM/INM, Post-harvest management, Development of market yards, Human Resource Development etc.

The Directorate of Arecanut and Spices Development (DASD), Kozhikode, DA&FW also  directly  implements  certain critical  programmes  through  Kerala  Agricultural  University and ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR), Kozhikode in the State.

The major programmes taken up by DASD for pepper are

-  Production and Distribution of Quality Planting Materials.
-  Setting  up  of  hi-tech  nurseries  to  ensure  a  steady  supply  of  high-quality  planting materials of spices including black pepper.
-  Accreditation of black pepper nurseries in both the public and private sectors,
-  Rehabilitation programme for Pepper Gardens.
-  Supporting  ICAR-Indian  Institute  of  Spices  Research  for  developing  a  scientific technique for varietal authentication of black pepper.

The  ICAR-IISR,  ICAR-All  India  Coordinated  Research  Project  (AICRP)  on  Spices  and Kerala Agriculture University (KAU) have successfully developed 21 high-yielding, diseaseresistant black pepper varieties. These varieties currently occupy nearly 70% of India's black pepper production areas, significantly enhancing productivity.

The ICAR- IISR, Kozhikode, in collaboration with Kerala Agricultural University (KAU), has also made significant advancements in black pepper cultivation through targeted research and technology  development  with  regard  to  propagation  techniques,  Soil,  Nutrient  and  Water Management, Disease & Pest Management and Organic & Sustainable Farming Practices.

*****