Kolli Hills' farmers urge govt to introduce more pepper varieties for better yield

NAMAKKAL: If you have traversed the multiple, beautiful hairpin bends of Kolli Hills and managed to get a bird’s eye from the top, you would know how crucial black pepper cultivation is to the hill station. 

This perennial crop is cultivated in 2,000 hectares atop the hills. Now, farmers cultivating pepper have urged the government to introduce new pepper varieties which would give more yield, apart from reducing the production cost.

Despite horticulture officials’ efforts to expand the area of cultivation of pepper, the farmers feel introducing more varieties would be of great help while competing with States like Kerala in production.

Speaking with TNIE, 60-year-old farmer cum retired agriculture official R Varadharaju, who cultivated pepper in his 25-acre land, said, "Till now, we are utilising the Panniyur -1 variety. Whereas, Kerala has already developed many varieties like Panniyur 1 to 10, Aswathi, Suvarna, Karikonta, that give more yield and reduce production cost."

“This apart, the upgraded Panniyur varieties grow well amid drought and grow better in shade. So, the horticulture department should take steps to bring new pepper varieties here," he urged.

Varadharaju pointed out that despite a good bout of rains in April and May this year, the yield was poor. He attributed this to the hike in price.  “Now, the price of pepper stands at Rs 550 per kg when it was Rs 350 in the past. In the upcoming days, the price can go up to Rs 800."

Another farmer K Balasubramani said recently he travelled to Kerala and purchased 200 pepper seedlings of new varieties and planted them back in Kolli Hills. He added that he was unaware of how the yield would turn out since it was his first time trying a different variety of pepper. Excited, he said the crops have already started flowering.

Farmers have also started cardamom cultivation in the hill recently. Balasubramani said, “If the government extends its helping hands for these kinds of growers by implementing schemes it will be helpful.”

Namakkal Deputy Director of Horticulture (DD) K Ganesan said, "A few farmers are only interested with new varieties of pepper. But, the existing variety's quality is superior and that is why we have not brought them. However, we could introduce new ones based on their requests.” The DD also assured the farmers to send proposals for cardamom farmers.