Yara India Introduces Solutions for Cardamom Farmers
Supporting Kerala’s Cardamom Farmers Against Climate Challenges
Yara India has launched a specialized crop nutrition program to support cardamom farmers in Kerala, helping them overcome the challenges posed by unpredictable weather. Kerala, which accounts for 78% of India’s cardamom production, plays a crucial role in maintaining India’s position as a global leader in the spice market. However, farmers in the state recently faced severe setbacks, including a 122-day drought followed by intense rains and strong winds. These extreme conditions damaged crops by stunting plant growth, causing significant flower drop, and reducing the overall quality of the produce.Yara’s Customized Program for Resilience
To address these issues, Yara India introduced the program titled, “Withstanding Climate Atrocity in Cardamom with Balanced Nutrition.” This initiative focuses on restoring essential soil nutrients using products like YaraVita Zintrac and YaraVita Bortrac, along with YaraVita Stopit, which tackles pest infestations worsened by drought stress. The customised approach has led to noticeable improvements in plant health, ensuring stronger root systems, fewer flower drops, and increased resistance to fungal diseases.Farmers such as Thavamani from Kappiattuvara shared positive experiences, noting improved resilience during the drought and better recovery following heavy rainfall. This progress has been pivotal for high-value export-grade cardamom.
Innovative Techniques Boosting Productivity and Quality
Yara India’s balanced crop nutrition program is helping farmers in Idukki, Kerala, adopt sustainable and innovative practices that have significantly boosted productivity. The program led to a remarkable increase in yields. For example, Yara-supported plots reported 25–35 kg/ha yields during the June harvest, compared to 12–17 kg/ha on other farms. By September, Yara-assisted farmers achieved yields of 75–175 kg/ha, significantly outperforming the 60–100 kg/ha seen in conventional plots.These improvements stem from tailored recommendations, including the use of mulching, shade nets, and optimized drenching and foliar applications, which have enhanced crop recovery and ensured sustainable production.
Long-Term Strategies for Climate Resilience
In addition to short-term benefits, Yara India has introduced strategies aimed at long-term resilience. These include techniques like mulching, which helps retain soil moisture, and shade nets, which protect plants from extreme weather. Farmers have reported improved crop recovery, making cardamom cultivation more sustainable and profitable.Conclusion: A Promising Future for Cardamom Farming
Yara India's initiatives are empowering Kerala’s cardamom farmers to withstand climate challenges and improve their productivity and market competitiveness. By equipping farmers with advanced techniques and customized solutions, the program is ensuring high-quality yields that cater to both domestic and export markets. This collaboration between science and agriculture is setting a new benchmark for sustainable spice farming in India.Click here to reach our trading platfrom CMBroker
