| Promotional
programmes |
| Production
Development» |
| Small
Cardamom is grown mainly in the Western Ghats of
Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Cardamom requires
humid and moderately cool climate, filtered sunlight
obtained from tree canopy, humus rich soil, well-distributed
rainfall and protection from heavy winds. Majority
of the cardamom holdings belong to small and marginal
category. |
| State-wise
area, production & productivity of small cardamom
|
| In
order to improve production, productivity and post
harvest practices, the following programmes are
being implemented by Spices Board: |
| RAIN
WATER HARVESTING DEVICES IN CARDAMOM AND VANILLA
PLANTATIONS (DESCRIPTION / WORKING PROCEDURE) |
| Irrigation
during summer months is very much essential in Cardamom
and Vanilla plantations for getting a higher yield.
A cheap method of harvesting rain water for irrigation
purpose in the Cardamom and Vanilla plantations
is using excavated storage tanks lined with UV resistant
polythene tarpaulin also called Silpauline. This
method of harvesting rain water for irrigation purpose
is becoming popular among the Cardamom and Vanilla
growers because of its low cost and convenience.
The Spices Board proposes to popularise this method
for irrigating cardamom and vanilla plantations.
|
| It
is estimated that a storage tank of 200 cu. metre
capacity (eg. 16m x 5 m x 2.5m lined with Silpauline)
can store about two lakh litres of rain water, which
is sufficient to provide 10 – 12 rounds of
irrigation in a cardamom plantation of 0.8 ha. The
cost of such a device is estimated to be around
Rs. 20,000/- (Rs. 15,000/- for excavation work and
Rs. 5,000/- for polythene sheets). Similarly, a
100 cu. metre water storage tank can store one lakh
litres of water, which may cost around Rs. 10,000/-.
(Rs. 7,500/- for excavation work and Rs. 2,500/-
for silpauline sheet). Subsidy @ 33.33% of the actual
cost, limited to Rs. 6,666/- is allowed for the
construction of one 200 cu. metre capacity tank.
A farmer is eligible to construct storage tank of
his actual requirement / convenience, but the subsidy
will be limited to 33.33% of the total expenditure
subject to the monetary ceiling indicated above.
Spices Board may arrange for bulk supply of silpauline
of given specification. In such cases, the cost
of silpauline in excess of the approved rate will
not be accepted. |
| Eligibility
|
| Registered
small and marginal growers of Cardamom and growers
of Vanilla holding not more than 4 ha. and not less
than 0.10 ha. under Cardamom or Vanilla as the case
may be are eligible to avail the benefits under
the scheme. The amount of subsidy is limited to
33.33% of the actual cost of setting up of the tank
(excavation of the tank and lining with Silapauline),
subject to a maximum of Rs. 6,666/- per applicant.
Silpauline of approved specification shall have
to be used. ( 120 gauge) |
| Area
of operation |
| Kerala,
Tamilnadu and Karnataka States |
| Procedure
for implementation of the scheme will be as follows:- |
1.
Interested growers will submit application in the
prescribed format.
2. The Field Officer of the Board will assess the
technical / economical feasibility and issue the
work permit under intimation to the Assistant Director
concerned.
3. On completion of the water storage tank (excavation
and lining with Silpauline sheets), the farmer will
intimate the same to the Field Officer.
4. The Field Officer will physically verify the
construction work, take its measurements and recommend
eligible subsidy to the Assistant Director concerned.
5. The Assistant Director will effect the payment.
6. 25% of the cases will be test checked by the
Assistant Director and 5% by the Regional Deputy
Director / Joint Director and 5% by an Officer nominated
by the Director(Dev), Head Office |
| Production
and supply of quality planting materials |
 |
| |
Spices Board maintains
7 departmental nurseries, 5 in Karnataka and 2 in
Kerala. The seedlings produced in the nurseries
are supplied to the growers on a ‘no profit
no loss’ basis. |
| |
|
|
Certified
Nursery Scheme: |
| |
This programme
supports growers to raise cardamom nurseries in
their own fields. On an average 16-20 lakh planting
material both seedlings and suckers together, are
raised annually through this programme. |
| |
Spices Board provides
grant-in-aid @ Rs.5000/- per bed nursery producing
10,000 seedlings, Rs.7500/- for poly bag nursery
producing 10,000 seedlings and Rs.10,000/- for nursery
producing 10,000 suckers. |
|
Cardamom
Replanting Scheme |
| |
This programme
is intended to encourage small and marginal growers
to take up replantation of old, senile and uneconomic
plantations. A subsidy of Rs.9,000/- per ha. is
offered to small and marginal growers. About 650
ha is brought under replanting every year. |
|
Irrigation
& Land Development Scheme |
| |
In partnership
with the Western Ghat Development programmes of
the State Governments of Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil
Nadu, Spices Board implements programmes aimed at
developing water resources such as farm ponds, check
dams, weirs and open wells in cardamom plantations.
The programme also covers installation of irrigation
equipments, soil & water conservation works
and afforestation programme. Eligibility and scale
of assistance varies among States. |
