RMM and VCM –a Revolutionary Method for Boosting Black Pepper Production of Kerala-m a Jamiah

COURSE TITLE:

PLANTATION AND AGRI-COMMODITY PRODUCTION

RMM and VCM -A revolutionary method for Boosting Black

pepper production of Kerala-

SUBMITTED BY

MUHAMMED ABDUL JAMIAH.M

14PGDM23

2nd

Trimester

PGDM -ABPM 2014-16

SUBMITTED TO

Mr.K.Narendran

Faculty

IIPM, BANGALORE

Synthesis Paper On

Acknowledgement

There are many persons to whom I owe thanks for their help, support, advice and

suggestions to prepare this Synthesis paper. Above all I am grateful to Mr.K.Narendran, Faculty,

Indian institute of plantation management, Bangalore for inspiring me and providing me Academic

input of Plantation & Agri-Commodity Production

Finally I owe deep debt of gratitude to farmers from Wayanad, Idukki and various part of

Kerala who gave necessary information during my survey; Library department, Indian institute of

plantation management, Bangalore for making available the superior library, Internet and other

resources for the work.

MUHAMMED ABDUL JAMIAH.M

(14PGDM23-ABPMM)

PLACE: BANGALORE

DATE: 08/12/2014

Table of Contents

Serial

No.

Topic

Page No.

1

Abstract

1

2

Introduction

2

3

Review of literature

3

4

Methodology and Data sources

4

5

A brief description of Idukki and Wayanad

4

6

World scenario of Pepper production

5

7

Indian scenario of Pepper production

7

8

Pepper production in Kerala

10

9

Present marketing scenario of Pepper in Kerala

15

10

Problems associated with cultivation of Black pepper

16

11

RMM and VCM techniques to boost Black pepper production in Kerala

18

12

Conclusion

24

13

Implications

24

14

Bibliography

25

RMM AND VCM -A Revolutionary method for

Boosting Black pepper

production of Kerala-

RMM and VCM A revolutionary method for boosting Black pepper production of Kerala-

1

Abstract

The richness of the culture and fragrance of the spices were the major source of glory of the

ancient India especially Kerala. Agricultural sector, while accounting for only about 11.5 per cent

of the State Domestic Product accommodates nearly 60 per cent of the population. Therefore the

low rate of growth of this sector might have had its implications not only on livelihood and food

security of millions but also on other sectors on account of the inter-sectorial linkages. Accordingly,

a sustainable and dynamic approach towards the development of this sector becomes a major

concern of government and the policy makers. Many scholars have underlined the importance of

public research and extension in enhancing productivity and efficiency, which is key survival under

globalization, in the agriculture sector as in any other sectors. In this setting, this paper looks into

the reasons of drastic decline of Black pepper production in Kerala and suggesting an alternative

way to sustain it. Also an attempt has been made to explore the impact of innovation at farm level

of black pepper in the state. This paper has been taken into account of both primary and secondary

data sources to realise the issue at hand. The study finally concluded that like Indian Agriculture

Innovation system, there are multiple actors who engaged in research and extension with

complementary expertise in the case of black pepper also. However the lack of co-ordination and

interaction among the players has constrained the growth of the crop. Drawing from its findings,

the study calls for more intense institutional intervention and highlights the need for systematic

method of cultivation of Black pepper by coordination among various agencies to provide the

extension services and support at proper time to the pepper growers. This synthesis paper suggests

a combined RMM and VCM model of black pepper cultivation to save black pepper plantations of

Kerala.

Key Words: Agriculture Innovation System, Institutional intervention, Black Pepper, RMM, VCM


2

1. Introduction

. However, Keralas development over the last fifty years suggests that it has been

experiencing a dual pattern of development at both economic and social fronts. Real sectors like

agriculture and industry remained sluggish with low productivity levels; the service sector achieved

rapid progress This development experience of the state questions a widely held paradigm that first

agriculture sector and then industrial sector have to develop in order to improve the living standards

of the masses. Statistics reveals that the share of agriculture in the state's economy has been coming

down steadily both in terms of its contribution to State Domestic Product (SDP) and employment

from 22 per cent and 37 per cent respectively in 2004-05 to 11.5 per cent and 30 per cent in 2008-

09.Even this is the case; nearly 65 per cent of the population depends on agriculture both directly

and indirectly to meet their livelihood activities. Therefore the low rate of growth of this sector

might have had its implications not only on livelihood and food security of millions but also on

other sectors on account of the inter-sectorial linkages. Needless to say, the poor performance of

agriculture sector has attracted the attention of a number of scholars such as Kannan &

Pushpangadan, 1988, 1990; Jeromi, 2003; Nair & Menon, 2004; Kannan, 2011; Viswanathan,

2012; among others. These studies have shown that one of the major factors which led to the low

growth rate of agriculture is the decline in public investment in general and R&D investment in

particular. Many studies have proved that the public investment in agricultural research and

development, irrigation, and extension in the growth of production is necessary to improve the

welfare of those dependent on agriculture while keeping them in agriculture and to raise yields and

output, and not for transforming traditional agriculture .However to accelerate growth in agriculture,

there is a need of focus in the immediate future on appropriate policies for infrastructure and

institutions in four major areas: land and water management, research and extension, inputs

including credit and marketing including price policy. In this setting, this paper has made an attempt

to analyse the innovation process involved in commercial crops in the state by taking black pepper

as a special case.

Black pepper is one of the most ancient and traditional spice crops of India which has been

produced and traded worldwide. Black pepper is the native of the Western Ghats Mountains in

Southern India. However, with the emergence of competition from other pepper producing countries

such as Vietnam, Brazil, Indonesia and Sri Lanka, India is missing out the opportunity to take

advantage of the fast- growing international pepper market. In 1951, 70 per cent of worlds pepper

cultivation was concentrated in India and this has gone down to 18.7 per cent in 2007. The

distribution pattern of pepper across various states of India showed the dominance of Kerala with

89 per cent of the total area under cultivation and produces around 95 per cent during 2007-08

followed by Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Obviously, any down turn in Keralas production is bound

to have a negative impact on countrys production. Moreover, black pepper is cultivated mostly by

small and marginal holders and their livelihood has crucial bearing on this crop. As we can see

from Government report on black pepper says that black pepper is one of the important crops

which provides major source of income and employment for rural households in Kerala- where


3

more than 2.5 lakh farm families are involved in pepper cultivation (Government of India, 2009).

So the declined performance recorded in recent years (after 2000) by this spice crop in the state

added up the relevance of this particular issue. In this context of declining performance made by

black pepper which is having important position at international, national and state level paves way

to explore the role of institutional arrangements and their respective innovation activities conducted

for the wellbeing of this crop. Hardly any studies have been attempted to explore this issue. So this

paper tries to fill this gap.

The rest of the paper is structured as follows. Apart from introduction, paper has four

sections. Section 2 briefly explains the concept of innovation that used in the study. Section 3

discusses about the methodology and data sources. Section 4 elaborate findings of the paper. The

last section summarizes the major findings.

2. Review of literature

An innovation system may be defined as comprising the organizations, enterprises, and

individuals that together demand and supply knowledge and technology, and the rules and

mechanisms by which these different agents interact (World Bank, 2007). The innovation systems

concept focuses not merely on the science suppliers but on the totality and interaction of actors

involved in innovation. This concept offers a holistic explanation of how knowledge is produced,

diffused, and used but also because it emphasizes the actors and processes that have become

increasingly important in agricultural development ( ibid , 2007). However, Agricultural Innovation

is multifaceted and it can be technological, institutional, organisational or policy based (Obote

Ochieng, 2007). In India, initially agricultural research was essentially a supply driven process and

the focus was on creation of new knowledge and its conversion into technologies which can directly

be used by farmers. The concept is now moving from supply driven to demand driven kind of

interventions and then it becomes a concept of agriculture innovation system, so that the knowledge

can be used by the end users, mostly the farmers (Pal et al., 2009). There is opportunity for a

participatory and multi- stakeholders approach to identifying issues for agricultural R&D, and

agricultural technology could thus be developed with active farmers participation and

understanding of the application of new technologies. The agricultural innovation system approach

as an institutional framework can be fostered depending on the institutional circumstances and

historical background of the national agricultural development strategies. Government, the private

sector, universities, and research institutions are important parts of a larger system of knowledge

and interactions that allows diverse actors with varied strengths to come together to pursue broad

common goals in agricultural innovation. In analyzing an agricultural innovation system, it is

necessary to examine the impact on farmers, and others actors, of policies that directly affect the

agricultural sector (for example, agricultural research and extension arrangements) (World Bank,

2007). In the present context this paper looks into the institutional innovation which is defined as a

change in the institutions (rules of the game) through which a new technology is developed and

becomes adopted by end- users (the farmers). Institutional innovation is defined by Richard R.

Nelson and Katerine Nelson (2002) as social innovation brought in the institutional structures

needed to take advantage of the technological innovation. They consider innovative change in the

institutional structures as a way to achieve adapted institutions for technological development. To

their view, institutions are taken as social technologies. Then, although, the advance of physical

technologies continues to play the leading role in the process of economic growth.social


4

technologies enter the story in terms of how they enable the implementation of physical

technologies (Nelson and Nelson, 2002 as cited in Paul, 2012).

3. Methodology and Data sources

The paper is based on both primary and secondary data. Secondary data is collected from

various government sources to realize the objective at macro level. To examine the performance of

black pepper in Kerala in general and regions in particular, the study has been using state level time

series data on area, production and productivity of crop in Kerala from 1960-61 to 2009-10. To

understand the regional pattern the state is divided into three regional groups on the basis of

geographical, historical and cultural similarities- Northern Kerala comprising of five districts

(Kasaragod, Kannur, Wayanad, Kozhikode and Malappuram), Central Kerala comprising of four

districts (Palakkad, Thrissur, Eranakulam and Idukki) and Southern Kerala comprising of five

districts (Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram). Primary data

has been collected by using a structured interview schedule. The study covered a sample of 180

households spread across two districts; namely, Idukki and Wayanad; in the state. Both qualitative

and quantitative information has been gathered to the purpose of the study. The samples were drawn

by using proportionate stratified random sampling method.

4. A Brief Description of Idukki and Wayanad

Idukki is one of the mountainous Districts of Kerala, came into being on 26 th January 1972.

With a total geographical area of 5,019 square kilometres (13 percent of the total area of the

state) the District of Idukki falls mainly on upland area. Topographically, Idukki district is divided

into two divisions. No part of the district lies in low land. The average rainfall receives in the district

is 2867.9 mm and the temperature varies between 27 0 C and 21 0 C. The soils of this district are

classified into laterite, forest and hilly soils. The major crops grown in the district are cardamom,

black pepper, tea, coffee coconut.

Out of the four taluks in the district viz. Devikulam, Udumbanchola, Peerumedu and

Thodupuzha, present study has chose two panchayats from Udumbanchola taluks- Nedumkandam

and Erattayar.

On the other hand, Wayanad district came into existence on 1 st November, 1980 as the 12th

district of the state. The district has an area of 2131 sq.kms, which account for 5.48 percent of the

state total. Being a hilly district, vast area of Wayanad consists of forests (36.48 per cent). Nearly

51.04 per cent of the total area of the district is under cultivation. The agro- climatic conditions of

Wayanad are as follows: a) the average rainfall that the district receives during the year is 1938 .9

mm b) During the cold season temperature falls below 15 0 Celsius, but in summer season a

temperature of 29 0 Celsius and more is often recorded. From October to the end of February the

atmosphere become dry, cool and salubrious. The seasonal crops that require heavy rainfall and

perennial crops that require prolonged rainfall can have a healthy growth in the district. The high

altitude in the district is suitable for the cultivation of perennial plantation crops and spices. The

major plantation crops include coffee, tea, black pepper, cardamom and rubber.

Among three taluks in the district, Sulthan Bathery, Mananthavady and Kalpetta, the study

has chosen two panchayats- Pulpally and Mullankolly from Sulthan Bathery taluk for further

analysis.


5

The paper, in addition to the descriptive statistical tools, made use of kinked exponential

model developed by Boyce (1986) to arrive at the trend break (Balakrishnan and Parameswaran,

2007) in different series and exponential growth model to estimate the growth rates.

5. World scenario of pepper production

Production of the pepper is around 3,38,380 metric tonnes per annum with 4,76,514 ha

Under cultivation in 2010. The is major reason for decline in output in recent years. Further,

the crop in the major producing countries such as Vietnam and India has been affected by

disease and poor maintenance due to decreased prices during past few years. World pepper

production that is 3,20,303 metric tonnes in 2001 and 3,38,380 metric tonnes in 2010. Out of

total pepper production, black pepper constitutes most of it and leaving least to white pepper.

Sudden increase in pepper production by Vietnam resulted increase in global production from

61,600 metric tonnes in 2001 to 1,10,000 metric tonnes in 2010. Indonesia is in 2nd position

with 65,000 metric tonnes in 2001 and 59,000 metric tonnes in 2010. India with 79,000 metric

tonnes in 2001 and decreased to 50,000 metric tonnes in 2010 and followed by Brazil, China,

Malaysia, Srilanka, Thailand and other countries which have recorded less production in

pepper. The total production of black pepper was registered at 2,53,403 metric tonnes in 2001

and production was registered at increased stage with 2,64,980 metric tonnes 2010 and

simultaneously white pepper increased by 6500 metric tonnes over the decade, 66,900 metric

tonnes in 2001 and 73,400 metric tonnes in 2010.

Table: 1. Country-wise Production of black pepper during 2001-2010 (Production in Metric Tonnes)

Source: International Pepper Community -2011

The table & figure 1. indicates country-wise production of black pepper during 2001-2010 and the growth rate in percentage. It is observed that the Srilanka has registered with 4.64 per cent among black pepper producing countries of world followed by Vietnam (2.92per cent), Indonesia (1.26 per cent), Thailand (0.61 per cent) and Madagascar (0.06 per cent). Some of the countries registered negative growth in low production due to low productivity and climatic variation.

COUNTRY 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 CAGR

Brazil 41,000 43,000 47,000 40,000 39,500 40,000 39,000 38,000 38,200 32,000 -2.50

India 79,000 80,000 65,000 62,000 70,000 55,000 50,000 50,000 49,000 49,550 -5.78

Indonesia 27,000 34,000 45,000 32,000 42,000 31,000 37,000 34,000 33,000 40,000 1.26

Malaysia 24,000 21,600 17,800 16,500 16,000 16,000 16,000 15,400 15,400 16,450 -3.91

Srilanka 8,308 13,310 13,274 11,060 13,316 13,575 15,265 13,288 13,712 16,630 4.62

Vietnam 59,100 79,500 89,000 1,00,000 92,500 94,000 82,500 89,000 1,01,750 88,000 2.92

Thailand 8,820 9,960 9,500 9,500 10,500 10,500 9,800 9,800 9,750 9,750 0.61

Madagascar 3,375 2,500 2,500 2,500 2,500 3,000 2,700 2,800 2,800 2,800 0.06

Others 2,500 3,000 3,500 4,656 4,770 4,900 5,000 5,000 10,300 9,800 14.93

Total 2,53,403

2,86,870

2,92,574

2,78,219

2,91,086

2,67,975 2,57,265

2,57,288 2,74,462

2,64,980 -0.52


6

Table: 2.Country-wise Area under pepper during 2001-2010 (Area in hectares)

Source: International Pepper Community -2011

Figure: 1. Country-wise Area under pepper during 2001-2010 (Area in

hectares)

The above table 1.1 & figure 1.1 shows the country-wise area under pepper cultivation during 2001 to 2010. It is observed from the table the growth trend in area of cultivation under pepper during 2001 to 2010 is declining China has registered the highest CAGR among other pepper growing cultivation countries. China has shared with 5.27 per cent followed by Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand with 2.62 per cent, 0.87 percent, 0.31 per cent respectively. Some of the countries registered negative growth, the reason might be the low yield and pest diseases.

Country 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 10 CAGR

Brazil 39,000 41,000 50,000 45,000 40,000 35,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 -10.43

India 2,18,670 2,22,460 2,23,060 2,31,800 2,31,800 2,53,730 2,36,180 1,96,297 1,81,299 1,82,000 -2.14

Indonesia 1,59,884 1,60,606 1,84,000 1,71,000 1,50,000 1,40,000 1,42,500 1,45,000 1,45,000 1,45,000 -2.04

Malaysia 13,400 13,100 13,000 13,000 12,700 12,235 13,023 13,487 13,608 15,000 0.87

Srilanka 30,764 31,378 31,970 32,437 24,739 29,156 29,976 30,655 30,506 30,714 -0.30

Vietnam 36,106 42,000 48,800 50,000 50,000 50,000 50,000 50,000 50,000 50,000 2.62

China 15,700 16,000 17,000 18,000 19,000 20,000 21,000 22,687 23,545 24,000 5.27

Madagascar 4,000 4,000 4,000 4,000 4,000 4,000 4,000 4,000 4,000 4,000 0.00

Thailand 2,892 2,890 2,800 2,800 2,800 2,800 2,800 2,800 2,800 2,800 -0.31

Others 2,500 3,000 3,000 3,000 3,000 3,000 3,000 3,000 3,000 3,000 1.00

Total 5,22,946 5,36,434 5,77,630 5,71,117 5,38,039 5,49,921 5,22,479 4,87,926 4,73,758 4,76,514 -1.68


7

6. Indian scenario of pepper production

In India, pepper cultivation is mainly confined to the Southern States of Kerala, Karnataka

and Tamil Nadu. Altogether the total area under cultivation was estimated at around 220,620 ha,

with Kerala accounting for almost 70% of the total production. There are many varieties of pepper

developed and grown in India, including Karimunda, Kottanadan, Panniyur -1, Panniyur-3,

Panniyur-4, Panniyur-5, PLD-2, Subhakara etc. In India pepper production is declining also there is a great fluctuation in its price. In 2008-

09 the production was about 45000-50000 tons. The decline is production is mainly due to the

adverse climatic condition and diseases to pepper vines in major production centres.

Kerala accounts 90% of India pepper production. Other producers are Karnataka, Tamil

Nadu and Andamans. Major Indian markets are Kochi and Sulthan Bathery in Kerala are the major

primary markets Nagpur, Indore and Delhi have recently developed as the major up country

markets for pepper. The share of India in global pepper export has declined to less than 10% during

the last three years. The main factor for this drop is the competition from Vietnam. Though the

share of India in raw pepper export has declined, India is the major producer of pepper oleoresin

and pepper oil in the world. Nearly 90% of global pepper oleoresin is produced in India. Indian

manufacturers are also turning themselves to be key players in grounded pepper exports.

As a highly traded commodity, global demand and supply plays a crucial role in shaping

prices. Vietnam, a new entrant to pepper crop, sharply raised the total global supply by over 10000

ton by early years of 2000 led to a cash in pepper prices globally. Indian pepper costing over Rs.

200 per/kg in 2000 fell to an average of 65 Rs. Per kg by 2005 and shows an increase during 2011-

13 up to 400-500 Rs. Per kg.


8

Table: 3 Area and production of pepper in India (Production in tones)

Source: Directorate of Economics And Statistics

Table: 4 State wise production ( production in tones)

Source: Spice Board

Pepper Area (ha) Production (t)

2005 06 213860 79000

2006 07 218220 80000

2007-08 223570 65000

2008 09 231880 62000

2009-10 235430 74260

2010-11 267112 81930

2011-12 257244 49997

2012-13 236177 49997

States 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13

Karnataka 12000 6236 15000 18240 16000

Kerala 33950 33991 27500 20640 16500

Tamil Nadu 1016 716 7500 9120 10500

TOTAL 49997 40943 50000 48000 43000


9

The Kerala state leads in total pepper production from the year 2008 to 2013. The share of

Kerala state is 67.9% in 2008-09. In 2009-10 it was 83%, in 2010-11 the share was 55%, In 2011-

12 It was 43% and in 2012-13 the share was 38.3%.We can see a decrease in production in Kerala

state. The Kerala was followed by Karnataka and Tamilnadu they increases their production year

by year.

Table: 5 State wise area (area in hectares)

Source: Spice Board Kerala stands first in area of pepper cultivation from 2008 to 2013 with an average share

of 85.5% followed by Karnataka with an average share of 10.45%.

States 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13

Karnataka 15150 18847 19706 21061 21061

Kerala 216710 153711 171489 172182 172182

Tamil Nadu 3700 3117 2786 3009 3009

TOTAL 236177 181299 198986 201381 201381


10

7. Pepper production in Kerala Pepper is one of the major export oriented commodities in which the state continuous to enjoy

a near monopoly in area and production. The productivity of pepper recorded during 2004-05 was

only 327 kg. per ha. The production declined form 69015 MT during 2003-04 to 68362MT in 2004-

05. Pepper produced in Kerala fetches a premium price in International Market in view of its

intrinsic quality.

Table: 6 Area, production and productivity of black pepper in Kerala

Year Area (ha) Production (t) Productivity (kg/ha)

2005 06 198406

57882 291.7

2006 07 202133

60929 301.4

2007-08 203956

58240 285.5

Source: Spice Board Kerala stands first in area of pepper cultivation from 2008 to 2013 with an average share of

85.5% followed by Karnataka with an average share of 10.45%.

In Kerala there was an increase in area of cultivation of pepper from 2005-06 to 2011-12.

But there was a decrease in 2012-13. Even the production data in Kerala showed an increasing trend

from 2005-06 to 2011-12 which started decrease in 2012-13which declined from 91.55 to 67.9%.

The average productivity of Kerala state was 311.03 kg/ha.There was decrease in productivity in

2008 09 208607 67358 322.9

2009-10 216440 69020 318.9

2010-11 237670 74980 315.5

2011-12 237998 87605 368.1

2012-13 226094 64264 284.2


11

2012-13 (284.2 kg/ha) from 2011-12 (368.1kg/ha).

Table :7

District-wise area of pepper in Kerala (area in ha)

District 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

Thiruvananthapuram 5775 5668 6376 6569

Kollam 10170 10418 11381 10633

Pathanamthitta 4224 5059 5613 5214

Alappuzha 1943 2134 2054 1940

Kottayam 8499 8581 9139 9245

Idukki 57211 58209 60537 65142

Ernakulam 7002 7312 7941 7309

Thrissur 3861 3938 4174 4583

Palakkad 4844 4916 5063 5482

Malappuram 7885 8253 8996 9846

Kozhikode 11869 11939 12775 12365

Wayanad 44771 44908 40088 40839

Kannur 23301 24569 23341 22492

Kasaragod 7051 6229 6478 6948

State 198406 202133 203956 20860


12

Source: Directorate of Economics and Statistics

The district Idukki (29.6%) leads in production followed by Wayanad (20.9%).Where as in

production Wayanad led first in earlier Years. But there was a decrease in production in Wayanad

which brought Idukki to first place. The decrease in production in Wayanad was highly due to

unfavourable climatic condition like reduction in rainfall and attack of pest and diseases.

Table: 8

District-wise production of pepper (Production in tones)

District 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

Thiruvananthapuram 1377 1705 1642 1760

Kollam 3269 3713 4275 3235

Pathanamthitta 912 1228 1455 1231

Alappuzha 242 297 196 174

Kottayam 777 1153 1372 1436

Idukki 13629 23282 24560 35534

Ernakulam 906 918 1219 1171

Thrissur 563 526 589 787

Palakkad 818 598 723 778

Malappuram 914 1053 616 979

Kozhikode 1806 2277 2722 1765

Wayanad 17332 17915 13083 12064

Kannur 3430 5038 4412 4362

Kasaragod 1568 1226 1376 2052

State 47543 60929 58240 67358


13

Trends in Area

It is evident from Figure 2 that there was a divergent performance in terms of area under

cultivation of black pepper across regions after 2000. Figure shows that central region has made an

increasing trend throughout the reference period, whereas northern region recorded a declining trend

since 1990s. This decline was clearly reflected in the overall states performance. During the same

period, southern region registered a more or less stagnant performance.


14

Table : 9. District- wise productivity of pepper ( Productivity t/ha)

Source: Directorate of Economics and Statistics The district Idukki leads in productivity (.4 t/ha) followed by Wayanad (.35 t/ha)

District 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

Thiruvananthapuram 0.2384 0.3008 0.2575 0.2679

Kollam 0.3214 0.3564 0.3756 0.3042

Pathanamthitta 0.2159 0.2427 0.2592 0.2361

Alappuzha 0.1245 0.1392 0.0954 0.0897

Kottayam 0.0914 0.1344 0.1501 0.1553

Idukki 0.2382 0.4000 0.4057 0.5455

Ernakulam 0.1294 0.1255 0.1535 0.1602

Thrissur 0.1458 0.1336 0.1411 0.1717

Palakkad 0.1689 0.1216 0.1428 0.1419

Malappuram 0.1159 0.1276 0.0685 0.0994

Kozhikode 0.1522 0.1907 0.2131 0.1427

Wayanad 0.3871 0.3989 0.3264 0.2954

Kannur 0.1472 0.2051 0.1890 0.1939

Kasaragod 0.2224 0.1968 0.2124 0.2953

State 0.2396 0.3014 0.2856 0.3229


15

In a context wherein area as well as production has declined for both northern and southern

Kerala in the state, has reduced the states share in both area and production during 2007-09. The distinct performance showed by central Kerala that steady increase in area coupled with a decline

in production level (in absolute terms) calls for the examination of trends in yield level of black

pepper across regions.

8. Present marketing scenario of pepper in Kerala

Major trading centers

Cochin is the major trading center for black pepper even though upcountry markets such

as Sulthan Bathery and Mananthavady(major producing area in Kerala) have emerged in the recent

past.

Market Influencing Factors

Indian pepper is at a premium against all the international grades. However, the production

and exports of pepper from other locations has a profound influence on Indian pepper prices too.

Weather and the annual production of a year. Year ending stocks and stocks-to- consumption ratio.

Indian pepper arrives in the market in the beginning of the year. However, distress selling is not

witnessed in pepper and the producers hold back the stock in anticipation of better prices.

Government policies with regard to imports and exports. Traders allege large-scale imports of

pepper from Sri Lanka and re-export from India as a major price-depressing factor and

Government has been asked to take measures to stop this practice. 1.3.3 Pepper co-operatives

Market fed entered the field of pepper marketing in the year 1963-64 and achieved a major market

share of pepper by 1979. Breaking boundaries of market, Market fed leaped into export market

during 1976, and maintained its market share sowing steady progress. Government of India

selected Market fed as the top most exporter of Black Pepper for the year 1979-80 and was an

award winner. During the year 1985-86 they had purchased 5300 tones of pepper for Rs. 2240

lakhs and sold 4639 tons for Rs.2178 lakhs of which export accounts for about 2000 tons valued

at Rs. 1050 lakhs. During 1992-93 they sold 257 MT valuing Rs. 70 lakhs, 1993-94 1324 MT

valuing Rs. 594 lakhs, 1994-95 582 MT valuing Rs. 337 lakhs and 1995-96 337 MT valuing Rs.

282 lakhs. The Kerala State Co-operative Marketing Federation stepped in to procure pepper

directly from farmers at Rs375 a kg when the prices fell to around Rs50-55 in 2005. It procured

nearly 5,000 tonnes, waited for prices to rise, and sold it in small quantities at prices as high as

Rs100 a kg. It is still left with nearly 800 tonnes of the crop it acquired. The transparent and

scientific manner of procurement instilled confidence in pepper growers.


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9. Problems Associated with the cultivation of Black pepper

Though black pepper is a homestead farming crop which can be grown along with other

crops, it is not free from various problems. Due to this, many respondents at farm level who have

a general opinion that black pepper is not a profitable cultivation. Various issues associated with

the cultivation of black pepper are as follows:

i) Pests and Diseases

a) Pollu beetle (Longitarsus nigripennis) is the most destructive pest of black pepper.

b) The top shoot borer (Cydia hemidoxa) is a serious pest in younger plantations in all black pepper

areas.

c) Leaf gall thrips (Liothrips karnyi) is more serious at higher altitudes especially in younger vines

and also in nurseries in the plains.

d) Scale insects such as mussel scale (Lepidosaphes piperis) and coconut scale (Aspidiotus

destructor) causes serious damage to black pepper vines at higher altitudes and also to older

cuttings in nurseries in the plains.

e) Minor pests such as Leaf feeding caterpillars, especially Synegiasp., damage leaves and spikes

of younger vines

f) Foot rot disease (quick wilt) caused by Phytophthora capsiciis is one of the most destructive of

all other diseases which affects all parts of the vines. This disease occurs mainly during the south

west monsoon season.

g) Pollu disease (Anthracnose) caused due to Colletotrichum gloeosporioides which affected

especially the berries. The disease appears towards the end of the monsoon.

h) Spike shedding, one of the emerging diseases in Kodagu and Idukki especially for varieties like

Panniyur-1.

i) Stunt disease is caused by viruses such as Cucumber mosaic virus and a Badnavirus. This affects

the vines which exhibit shortening of internodes to varying degrees. This declines the yield of the

affected vines gradually.

j) Phyllody disease caused by phytoplasma which affects the vines leads to malformation of spikes

at varying stages. Such spikes show leafy structure rather than floral buds which becomes

unproductive within two to three years.

k) Slow decline (slow wilt) is a disease which affects the mainly the black pepper vines. Some of

the symptoms are foliar yellowing, defoliation and die-back which reappear in subsequent seasons

after the end of the monsoon and the diseased vines gradually lose their vigour and productivity.

ii) Lack of proper standards

As majority of the respondents from both the districts especially Wayanad rightly pointed

the issue of not enough proper standards for the black pepper cultivation, say for instance, a farmer

pointed that


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....panniyur is the preferred variety for all the farmers for cultivation which requires strong standards to grow. But then due to the shortage in the availability of suitable standards, it becomes

very difficult for farmers like me to go for cultivating this variety

(Chacko, Wayanad, 4th, April, 2012)

Another farmer from Wayanad said that

Lack of proper standards available for cultivation is one of the reasons to make black pepper cultivation an unprofitable one (Joseph, Wayanad, 4th, April, 2012)

iii) Labour Shortage

Like other crops, black pepper growers are also facing the problem of acute shortage of labour.

One of the farmers from Wayanad mentioned that

Labour problem becomes a serious issue after the implementation of MGNREGA

(Rukmini Devi, Wayanad, 5th April, 2012)

On the other hand the mandate of MGNREGA has the provision to allow MNREGA labourers to

work at private farm land. In order to avail their labour service, farmers need to register in

respective Panchayat office. But then, respondents reported that it is very difficult to get their

services at proper time, made farmers to face the issue of labour shortage.

iv) Neglect from respective agencies

Though there is the presence of multiple actors involved for the upliftment of black pepper

cultivation, many of the respondents were mentioned some of the issues related to the current

institutional structure. A farmer from Wayanad pointed that

The concerned agencies are not fully aware about the pests and diseases attacks occurred for this crop. Even if we approach them, we are not getting benefitted. Another issue is that there is a time

lag in supplying pesticides/fertilisers through krishibhavans. Due to the delay in supply, most of

the pesticides become turn to be waste. In the nutshell, they are not providing enough attention to

this crop.

(Joseph, Wayanad, 4th April, 2012)

Another farmer pointed that,

We are not getting any services properly (Sunny, Wayanad, 8th April, 2012)

It is clearly evident from the field observation and the discussion with concerned agencies

that there is lack of coordination among agencies to provide services and support to the black

pepper growers.

v) Other issues

Some of the respondents have pointed the difficulty in getting good vines, climatic change etc

created problems in front of black pepper cultivation.

Due to all the problems involved in the black pepper, majority of the farmers claimed that todays

condition is not suitable for black pepper cultivation.


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10. RMM & VCM Technique To Boost Black pepper production in

Kerala

Traditional method

Runner shoots from high yielding and healthy vines are kept coiled on wooden pegs fixed

at the base of the vine to prevent the shoots from coming in contact with soil and striking roots.

The runner shoots are separated from the vine during February-March, and after trimming the

leaves, cuttings of 2-3 nodes are planted either in nursery beds or in polythene bags filled with

potting mixture (soil, sand and farm yard manure in 2:1:1 ratio). Adequate shade has to be provided

and the polythene bags are to be irrigated frequently. The cuttings become ready for planting

during May-June.

Rapid multiplication method (RMM)

A propagation technique developed at Sri Lanka has been modified for adoption in India

for quick and easy multiplication of black pepper vines. In this method, a trench of 45 cm depth,

30 cm width and of convenient length is made. The trench is filled with rooting medium

comprising of forest soil, sand and farm yard manure in 1:1:1 ratio. Split halves of bamboo or split

halves of PVC pipes are fixed at 45 angle by keeping split portion facing upward on a strong

support on one side of the trench. Rooted cuttings are planted in the trench at the rate of one cutting

for each bamboo split. The lower portions of the bamboo splits are filled with rooting medium

(preferably weathered coir dust-farm yard manure mixture in 1:1 ratio) and the growing vine is

tied to the bamboo split in such a way to keep the nodes pressed to the rooting medium. Each

single nodded cutting with the bunch of roots intact is cut and planted in polythene bags filled with

fumigated potting mixture. Trichoderma @ 1g and VAM @ 100 cc/kg of soil can be added to the

potting mixture. The buds start developing in about three weeks and then the poly bags can then

be removed and kept in shade till main field planting.

The advantages of this method of propagation are:

(i) Rapid multiplication rate (1:40),


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(ii) Well-developed root system,

(iii) Higher field establishment and

(iv) Vigorous growth as a result of better root system

VCM (Vietnam Cultivation Method)

During the past ten years, cultivation practices including soil treatment, support systems,

drainage and irrigation, balance fertilization, pruning of pepper and live support, removal of

infected plants, cover crops and mulching, intercropping and rotation of old pepper yards were

been studied in research stations located in main pepper growing regions. At the same time,

research results and constant monitoring were tested in farmers fields, appropriate cultivation

techniques that farmers adopted were recommended and disseminated to production on a large

scale.

1) Pepper orchard establishment

At present, less than 50% pepper orchards has good drainage systems. Since the rainy

season in main pepper growing regions last for 5-6 months and more than 60% of annual rainfall

falls down in 1-2 months of mid-rainy season, soils of the orchards are in temporary inundations

and/or high moisture capacity, these enhance the dissemination and outbreak of soil-borne fungi,

especially Phytophthora.

Demonstration plots with suitable drainage systems revealed that the population of fungi

and in the soils around pepper collar and the root zone are less than a half of check plots, while

the population of nematodes in soils and infested root remains unchanged in both two plots

(Nguyen Tang Ton, 2011).


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2) Soil treatment

In research stations, the utilization of sun-dried soils mixed with Trichoderma treated

manure in nursery shows effective against Phytophthora foot rot during the first two years after

planting, this helps to lower 22% of infected plants as compared with conventional method of

seedling propagation (Nguyen Tang Ton, 2005). However, the adoption of farmers is still limited

due to permanent shading of nursery and unavailability of effective Trichoderma product in remote

areas.

Sun-drying of soils in the pits two month and the treatment of these soils with Bordeaux mixture

one week before planting become more common to pepper farmers. Surveys from 220 pepper

holders in Daklak, Binh Phuoc and Ba Ria-Vung Tau provinces showed that 78% of these farmers

adopted this practice and the incidence of diseases decreased 22.8%.

3) Support systems, pruning of live support and pepper plant

There are many forms of pepper support. Before the year 2000, farmers living nearby

forests, i.e. Central Highlands and Binh Phuoc province used dead wood as supports, but now most

pepper farmers in the Southeastern region (SER), Central Highlands (CH) and Quang Tri province

prefers live support; in Phu Quoc, concrete pole is still popular.

Live support is used in almost newly established pepper orchards in Binh Phuoc province

and in the Central Highlands. There is no significant difference in yields of pepper climbing on

wood standard and live support. In general, pepper spacing in the gardens of live support is larger

than that of wood standard and concrete pole, two cuttings is planted and four to six pepper stems

are kept on a support.

Research results and surveys showed that diseases incidence and percentage of died plant

from foot rot were lower in the pepper fields with live support as compared to dead wood standard,

concrete and brick tower. There is no difference in slow decline index of pepper climbing on six

live supports, namely Cassia siamea, Wrightia annamensis, Leucaena leucocephala, Adenanthera

pavonina, Glyricidia sepium and Gmelina arborea (Nguyen Tang Ton, 2005). Therefore, farmers

would utilize which species of support that is available in the area.

From 3th year after planting, pruning of live support three times a year, one month after the

onset of the rainy season, mid-rainy season and one month before the dry season can limit support

shading and provides a good environment for the growth and development of pepper. Three

prunings reduce 2.3% died plant from foot rot as compared with two prunings (Nguyen Tang Ton,

2010).

Branches lying on or near the ground level should be pruned so that rain splashes cannot

inoculate the pathogen to leaves and spikes.

4) Balance fertilization

Farm surveys revealed that in most of pepper producing areas, nitrogen and phosphorus

fertilizers are overused, because farmers are familiar with the utilization of mixed fertilizers (16-

16-8 or 20-20-15 of N-P2O5-K20) with a common rate of 1.5-2.0 kg/support. Besides the above


21

formula, some farmers apply nitrogen fertilizer as dressing at the beginning of the rainy season

and potassium fertilizer at the onset of the dry season, when pepper vines are bearing fruits.

Excessive application of inorganic fertilizers, especially N and P, often creates an

unbalance status of plant nutrition in soils and distorts the growth and development of normal

pepper plants. Appropriate proportions of N:P2O5:K2O are 3:2:3 on Haplic Acrisols and 2:1:2 on

Ferralsols.

Farmers in Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Binh Phuoc and DakLak apply low rate of organic fertilizers

(5-6/stake) while in Phu Quoc, Gia Lai and Quang Tri pepper are applied with higher rates of

organic fertilizers.

Fertilizer trials on black pepper in commercial phase indicated that the application of

manure at 10kg/stake annually or 20kg/stake every two years gives a better performance of pepper

plants, reduces diseases incidence and results in higher yield than the treatments of less than

5kg/stake/year.

5) Irrigation and drainage

In Phu Quoc, furrow irrigation is a popular practice and the interval between irrigation is

8-10 days. In other pepper producing areas, confined irrigation is practised with an interval of 5-

7days. In Ba Ria-Vung Tau, some farmers practise micro-sprinkler, this is a good practice helping

to save irrigation water in the dry season, especially in time when underground water is depleted.

In Phu Quoc, irrigation furrows are also used as drainage systems in the rainy season,

therefore all pepper orchards have the drainage systems, whereas in Quang Tri, Southeastern

region and Central Highlands this figure is only 45%.

The outbreak of foot rot disease occurs more frequent in the region with flat lands and

pepper orchards without drainage systems. In some years, foot rot destroys hundreds hectares of

black pepper in one district (Ngo Vinh Vien, 2007).

6) Weeding

In most of pepper producing areas, farmers used to do clear weeding; this disturbs the

ecology in pepper gardens, enhances water flow in the rainy season, and provides the opportunities

for pests and diseases outbreaks, especially foot rot and slow decline. Clear weeding also enhances

soil erosion and nutrient washout in pepper orchards on slopping lands.

7) Removal of infected plants

Removal of infected and dead plants and trashes is strongly recommended since these

trashes are sources plenty of pathogen. In many pepper orchards, farmers let dead plants on

supports and dropped leaves from foot rot scatters everywhere in the orchard. Trials on farmers

field showed that removal of dead, infected plants and trashes proves a positive effect on the

prevention and control of foot rot and slow decline. Percentage of plants infected with foot rot and

disease index are equal to 27% and 64%, respectively, to those of check (unremoval).

8) Cover crops and mulching


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Planting of cover crops, namely wild groundnut (Arachis pintoi) Chinese wedelia (Wedelia

chinensis) and stylo (Stylosanthes guianensis), and mulching of rice straw and dried weeds do not

inhibit the development of destructive micro-organisms and the incidence soil-borne diseases.

However, these practices help to keep stable soil moisture in the dry season and reduce

water runoff in the rainy season, enrich organic matter in soils, reduce upturning and breaking of

soil surface, these lead to an increase of pepper yield 8-12% and seed bulk density 5-7%.

9) Intercropping and rotation

Pepper is grown either alone or in mixed gardens, e.g. with robusta coffee on farms in Chau

Duc district (Ba Ria-Vung Tau). This is one form of diversification which may help to minimize

financial risk when prices vary, and biological risk due to pests and diseases in the environment.

The advantage of pepper-coffee intercropping is that farmers supply enough water to coffee and a

little amount of water to pepper, there is no water logging in the root zone of pepper plants, and

proportion of Phytophthora infected plants and slow decline index of pepper plot decreases

significantly.

In addition, some forms of ley farming will be necessary to help regenerate soil fertility

and to break pests and diseases cycles in monocultural pepper production systems. Without

rotation, pepper plants of second generation grown on the same field could not develop normally

and give berry, plants die off after 3-4 years of planting.

10) Frequent

Frequent monitoring of of the field condition and plant performance should be diligent

carried out to enable early detection of disease symptoms. Due to the devastating foot rot and

costly remedial measures for the control of slow decline, frequent monitoring allows early

detection and prompt execution of control and eradication measures.

11) Mechanical and Physical measures

Large pepper orchards need to be divided into smaller plots with trenches to collect run-

off rain water and restrict the movement of Phytophthora zoospores and other destructive micro-

organisms.

The movement of animals into the orchard should be restricted by fencing the area or by

restraining the animals. When there is diseases outbreak, visitors of large number also can be

restrained.

12) Chemical and Biological Methods

In Vietnam, chemical control has been a common practice in the prevention and control of

foot rot and slow decline. This is normally carried when diseases outbreak occurs. In the trend of

a changing towards IDM,IPM and INM, more safe and environmental friendly methods need to

be developed and widely used. In farmers field trials and large scale production, phenylamides

(metalaxyl) and phosphonate, particularly fosetyl-aluminium and potassium phosphonate are

effective against foot rot. Other common agro-chemicals used for foot rot are copper oxychloride,

Bordeaux mixture and phosphorous acid.


23

Common and effective nematicides are sincocin + agrispon, ethoprophos, thiophanate-

methyl and Benomyl + Zineb.

Trichoderma products from Cantho University and WASI, and Pseudomonas fluorescens

from Hue UAF are effective against foot rot. The utilization of manure treated with Trichoderma

can reduce the population of soil-borne fungi and nemafodes and incidence of foot rot and slow

decline.

Fig: Components of VCM practice

VCM

Pepper orchard

establishment

Soil treatment

Balance fertilization

Irrigation and drainage

Weeding

Removal of infected plants

Cover crops and mulching

Intercropping and rotation

Intercropping and rotation

Frequent

Mechanical and Physical

measures

Chemical and Biological Methods


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11. Conclusion

As already mentioned, Kerala has a near monopoly in area under cultivation and production of

black pepper in the country. It is basically a mixed grown crop in garden lands along with coconut, arecanut

or other tree crops such Murik, jack etc. Turning to the area under pepper in Kerala which was about 202

thousand hectares with production of 61 thousand tonnes in 1980-81 has declined to 171 thousand hectares

with a production of 42 thousand tonnes in 2009-10. Considering the fact that the cultivation of black pepper

is spread over different regions in the state, with a view to have a better understanding of its observed

performance we shall now examine the variations in area, production and yield of black pepper during the

last five decades 5 (1960-61 to 2009-10) for Kerala in general and regions in particular.

Foot rot or quick wilt caused mainly by Phytophthora capsici and slow decline caused by

nematodes, mealy bug and other soil-borne fungi fungi are main factors causing the degradation

of pepper gardens IN Idukki and Wayanad. In many pepper orchards of Kerala, these two diseases

brought about slow growth and death of pepper vines, in some cases 100% pepper vines died off.

Varietal resistance does not successfully affect. Good drainage in the rainy season, water-

saving irrigation including drip irrigation and under-shade sprinkler minimize the spread and

contamination of diseases, and significantly reduce the incidence and yield loss of pepper gardens.

Combined RMM and VCM Practices of black pepper is the best practice in limiting the

outbreak of soil-born diseases of black pepper, this help to keep a stable yield of black pepper

gardens and contribute to a sustainable development of black pepper. If these techniques practice

in Black pepper Plantations of Kerala it would help them to retain their Golden days.

12. Implications

RMM and VCM models will help Black pepper farmers to restore their lost glory.

Institutional level extension and application of these techniques will help to increase cultivation

and production of black pepper.


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Bibliography

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Documents

RMM and VCM –a Revolutionary Method for Boosting Black Pepper Production of Kerala-m a Jamiah