Pepper yield fails to cheer growers

Last year, growers sold black pepper for Rs. 650 to Rs. 750 per kg

May 07, 2015 12:00 am | Updated June 27, 2015 04:11 pm IST - NAMAKKAL:

Pepper being plucked from the plant in Kolli Hills in Namakkal district.

Pepper being plucked from the plant in Kolli Hills in Namakkal district.

The increase in pepper production atop Kolli Hills failed to cheer up the growers as the price has fallen considerably when compared to last year.

Prevailing weather conditions, soil content, elevation and rain at the right time help the small pepper growers who have lands less than two acre to cultivate the plants.

The pepper plants are trailed on shade trees such as silver oak and pepper is plucked every year in the month of April and May. Also, coffee plants are grown in the shade of the silver oak trees in the same field.

Later, the plucked pepper seeds are withered from the central cone, dried up and sold in the market. It is cultivated in more than 2,000 acre in the hill and is the main source of income for over 500 families.

About 250 pepper plants can be grown in one acre and a single plant yields about five to eight kg pepper. The life span of a pepper plant is 30 years after which it is to be removed and new plant has to be planted.

Last year, growers sold the black pepper for Rs. 650 to Rs. 750 per kg. to the traders and also in the local market. But growers attribute the current drop in price due to increased production. “The harvesting season is about to end this month. But the price remains at Rs. 580 per kg”, said Raja of Thanni Mathi village in Pailnadu. “We sell pepper to traders and middlemen directly as there are no cooperative societies to procure pepper grown here”, he added.

“We do not get right price for our products. Branding should be done for the pepper grown in Kolli Hills and marketed by the government”, growers said.

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