Cardamom farmers on the path of protest

Loulo

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posted on 13 years ago — updated on 1 second ago

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PUTTADY(IDUKKI): The plunging price of cardamom in recent months has brought the growers of the spice on the protest path. The Put..

PUTTADY(IDUKKI): The plunging price of cardamom in recent months has brought the growers of the spice on the protest path. The Puttady Spices Park here has become a central place for these protests, alleging that the Spices Board has been a mute spectator that is not taking any action to defuse the current crisis.
On Wednesday, the average cardamom price was quoted at `743 per kg at the auction centre and the highest price at `1,048. The supply this year at the auction was `61,284 kg. This is in contrast to the past year when the average price of the spice was around `1,550 per kg and the supply was only 25,000 kg.

Even during the off season this year, there has been an excess cardamom supply leading to the dip in its price. So, by July when the season begins, the supply will rise further and price is predicted to fall even lower.

In the cardamom sector, the farmers can sell their yields only through auction centres recommended by the Spices Board. The auctioneers and the buyers are the individuals or agencies registered under the board.

Stating that the Spices Board was standing mute on the current situation, he alleged the board was not taking any action in favour of the farmers.

He said a meeting of the farmers and Spices Board had been called by the Chief Minister next week and decisions would be taken soon.