Yara Empowers Cardamom Farmers in Idukki to Overcome Climate Challenges with Balanced Nutrition

India reigns supreme as the world's largest cardamom producer, cultivating a remarkable 54% of the global supply. Responsible for a staggering 78% of the nation's production of this spice, often called the "Queen of Spices”, Kerala leads the way. Generations of farmers in the region have dedicated themselves to cultivating this prized spice, contributing significantly to India's dominance in the global market. However, these skilled farmers faced an unprecedented challenge: a devastating 122-day drought followed by torrential rains and damaging winds, impacting yields and soil health.

Yara India’s program, “Withstanding Climate Atrocity in Cardamom with Balanced Nutrition,” addressed the specific difficulties caused by these volatile conditions. The extended drought stunted plant growth, increased flower drop, and negatively impacted crop quality. To counter these effects, Yara India provided customized nutrition plans, utilizing solutions like YaraVita Zintrac and YaraVita Bortrac to replenish vital soil nutrients and applying YaraVita Stopit to control pest infestations exacerbated by drought stress.

This tailored approach resulted in healthier cardamom crops, stabilizing yields and improving market value, especially for high-value export cardamom. Farmers like mr. Thavamani from Kappiattuvara reported observing stronger root systems, reduced flower drop, and increased resistance to fungal diseases—a significant improvement compared to neighbouring farms that struggled without Yara India’s support. Their cardamom plants not only weathered the drought but also demonstrated remarkable resilience and recovery after the heavy rainfall.

Through Yara’s balanced crop nutrition plan cardamom growers in Kerala have embraced innovative farming techniques and sustainable practices, resulting in a remarkable increase in productivity and a significant improvement in crop quality. In terms of harvest, farmers with Yara user plot generated a yield of 25 – 35 kg/ha as compared to 12 to 17 kg/ha, produced by other farmer plots during the June month harvest. For the September month harvest, Yara user plots generated a staggering yield of over 75 to 175 kg/ha, as compared to 60 to 100 kg/ha yield generated by other farmer plots.

Beyond immediate solutions, Yara India equipped farmers with long-term strategies for climate resilience, including mulching techniques, shade net installations, and optimized drenching and foliar practices. This holistic approach not only facilitated crop recovery but also promoted sustainable, high-quality cardamom production capable of accessing premium markets.

Yara India’s program in Idukki showcases the positive impact of customized crop nutrition programs and demonstrates how sustainable agricultural practices can empower farmers to thrive even amidst challenging climate conditions. The success of these cardamom farmers underscores the resilience of Indian agriculture and its potential for continued growth and sustainability.