Pepper farmers sore over poor prices

The situation is mainly due to influx of imported varieties

DINDIGUL/THENI

Pepper cultivation in Theni and Dindigul districts has turned bitter for the past two years as farmers have been complaining of poor prices for produce, mainly due to imported varieties.

The spice is cultivated on about 1,200 hectares on the hilly areas of the two districts, including Sirumalai, Adalur, Panrimalai, Thandikudi, Thadiyankudisai, Bodi Mettu and Cumbum Mettu. Pepper requires less care and can be grown as an inter-crop. Lush pepper vines can be seen climbing tall Silver Oak trees in several farms.

“Earlier, we were selling pepper for ₹900 to ₹1,000 a kg. Since last year, we have been getting only ₹350 per kg. Wholesale traders from Kerala come to the farms in Sirumalai and Adalur for bulk purchase of pepper, which is then sold to retailers and small vendors,” says M. Vellimalai, who cultivates pepper, banana, coffee and lemon on 25 acres on Sirumalai hills.

Pepper has a lifespan of up to 50 years, with one yield every winter. “If pepper is sold raw, it would get only one-third of the price of dry pepper. But after drying, three kg of pepper reduces to one kg,” adds Mr. Vellimalai.

There were two main varieties of the spice cultivated in these districts, said K. Vetri, another farmer. “They are ‘Panniyur’ and ‘Malakunda’. These varieties differ in size and colour, but the flavour and taste are almost the same,” he added.

“Pepper is cultivated as a fall-back crop. If the farmers suffer loses in primary crops, they may compensate it from pepper. However, the influx of pepper from Southeast Asian countries like Vietnam results in a demand-price gap. The demand goes up and the price comes down,” said S. Murugan of MESAP Trust, an NGO working for farmers.

He said Horticulture department or Spices Board should provide support marketing and ensure a rightful profitable price for indigenous products.

The department has been raising seedlings at nurseries in Thandikudi and Sirumalai and distributing them to farmers at a subsidised rate. “We also provide technical know-how and solutions. However, the market for pepper is largely unregulated,” said K. Srinivasan, Deputy Director (Horticulture), Dindigul.

Spices Board coming under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, thorough its office in Bodi mainly concentrates on cardamom. “There are export support schemes for cardamom, but there is no such scheme for pepper,” said an official of the Board.

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