Rapid Fire
Snail Infestation in Cardamom
- 14 Jun 2025
- 2 min read
The cardamom-growing regions of Idukki, Kerala, are facing threat from small snail infestations following heavy summer rains. Snails feed on new panicles, flowers, and young capsules, causing crop damage, reduced yield, and quality loss.
- Farmers are using chemical sprays like metaldehyde (as a last resort) to control snail infestations.
Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum)
- About: Known as the “Queen of Spices,” it is a highly aromatic spice from the Zingiberaceae (ginger) family.
- It is native to the evergreen rainforests of the Western Ghats.
- Climatic Conditions: Requires rainfall of 1500-4000 mm, temperatures between 10°C to 35°C, and at altitudes of 600–1500 meters. It requires acidic, loamy, humus-rich soils with a pH of 5.0–6.5.
- Production Hotspots: Kerala contributes 58% of India’s cardamom output, with Idukki as the leading district.
- Karnataka grows it in districts like Kodagu and Chikmagalur.
- Tamil Nadu cultivates it in the Nilgiri hills.
- Recently identified cardamom species include Elettaria facifera (Periyar Tiger Reserve, Idukki) and Elettaria tulipifera (Agasthyamalai hills, Thiruvananthapuram and Munnar, Idukki).
Spices Market in India: India produced 11.14 million tonnes of spices in 2022–23, cultivating 75 of the 109 ISO-listed spices.
- Chilli, cumin, turmeric, ginger, and coriander accounted for 76% of total production.
- Major producing states include Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh.
- In 2023–24, India exported around 14 lakh tonnes of spices, with chilli being the top export (31%) to key markets such as China, Bangladesh, West Asia, and the US.
| Read More: Strengthening India's Spice Industry |
