By Chief of Bureau P Bhowmick
ITANAGAR: There are prodigious possibilities for production of spices, especially large cardamom, in Arunachal Pradesh where yield could be enhanced significantly if peasants adopt scientific cultivation. Large cardamom, often referred to as the Queen of Spices, boasts health benefits. A perennial crop in Sikkim and Darjeeling District, it is also grown in Uttarakhand, Nagaland, Manipur, Meghalaya and Asom. Sikkim’s output is phenomenal in this context.
The Arunachal dispensation and the Spices Board inked a M.o.U. in 2014. The Board established 19 field offices in Itanagar, Bomdila, Ziro, Aalo, Pasighat etc. However, the ones in Roing, Tezu, Namsai and Changlang are under the Tinsukia Divisional Office. Large cardamom cultivation gained momentum in the hilly tracts of this state on account of suitable agro-climatic conditions and setting up of the Board workplaces. Board officials encourage interested tillers to commence ventures besides providing technical know-how and sometimes sending progressive agriculturists to Kerala on exposure visits. The Board confers annual excellence awards to three ryots, including a woman. In 2014-15, Ziro’s D. Sanka received the first prize of Rs. 1 lakh thereby becoming the first woman from this state to achieve the feat.
“Large cardamom was cultivated over 16,770 hectares at a rate of 180 kg dry capsules per hectare in Arunachal Pradesh, according to an official report published in 2014. Anjaw District is the highest producer of large cardamom followed by Lower Subansiri. Dry capsules range from Rs. 1,300-1,400 per kg in the Indian market. The crop grows well in loamy soil with gentle to medium slopes, planting gets underway in May and continues till July. Six types of popular cultivars exist and Sawney is the most adoptable variety in Arunachal’s climate,” said Mr. T.N. Deka who is in charge of the Board’s Divisional Office here.
Production may be affected due to widespread occurrence of fungal and viral diseases (chirke and foorkey) causing considerable damage and consequent crop loss. Among pests, leaf caterpillars and stem borers dominate. Aphids are responsible for transmitting foorkey.
Neelam Tallar – who began cardamom cultivation on experimental basis over a hectare in Lower Subansiri during 2009 by investing a nominal amount – says, “I was surprised to see the high return of about 2-3 quintals in a short span of time. I started to expand farming and at present 5 hectares are under large cardamom.”