Performance analysis of organic pepper cultivation in Idukki district

Abstract

Black pepper is the most important spice crop of India with geo-political significance. In export trade also organic pepper has high significance especially to complete with leading global pepper producers with high productivity. Idukki district in Kerala is a traditional pepper tract where a large portion of the farmers followed organic cultivation by default. It was in this backdrop and also with the gaining prominence of organic policy in the state Idukki district was purposively selected for the study to evaluate the different parameters of organic pepper cultivation. The study was conducted in Nedumkandam and Azhutha blocks where maximum area under organic pepper was reported and also had the presence of prominent extension agencies in organic farming. The total sample size was 130 consisting of 100 randomly selected organic peppers from these blocks and 30 extension officials selected from the various extension agencies proportionate to the number of field staff. Based on the criteria of certification organic pepper farmers were classified into two groups viz. Certified Organic Farmer (COF) and Non-certified Organic Farmer (NcOF). It was found that 45 per cent of the farmers had valid organic certification from an accredited agency and 55 per cent were NcOF who followed good will of peer certification. Peermade Development Society (PDS) and Eco- Development Society (EDS) were the two NGOs that supported organic certification process of the farmers. The comparison of COF and NcOF on profile characteristics showed that COF were younger with a mean of 47 years while NcOF had average age of 59 years. Share of pepper on total income was 60 per cent for COF while it was 43 per cent for NcOF. Adoption Index (AI) measured on five selected dimensions of organic pepper cultivation (Guthman, 2000) showed organic weed management as the most adopted practice with AI values 68 per cent for COF and 74 per cent for NcOF followed by organic pest management with AI at 66.29 and 63.23 respectively. However the extent of adoption of total organic inputs recorded the least AI ii values for COF (45.74) and NcOF (44.54). This is attributed to the large number of natural organic farmers who followed zero to minimum input use. Regression analysis showed that age, education and certification status were the significant factors influencing adoption. Relative yield ratio between organic and conventional pepper farmers revealed that organic yield was 82 per cent of the conventional yield and COF had a higher yield ratio of .90 compared to .73 of NcOF. Two types of marketing channels each were delineated for COF and NcOF. Produce of COFs were collected directly from the field by procurement agents posted by PDS and EDS. In channel I of PDS, dry pepper collected from COF was supplied to the processing unit of PDS and marketed by them. In channel II procurement agent was posted through open tenders by EDS. They procured green pepper directly and traded in International markets. The profit percentage of dry pepper was found to be 109 per cent for COF while it was 92 per cent for NcOF. Comparison of value addition in the certified organic pepper channel showed 116 per cent increase while in non-certified organic pepper channel the increase was only 10.93 per cent. Analysis of institutional support to organic pepper cultivation revealed that PDS as the most important institution supporting organic pepper production. Krishibvan and Indian Cardamom Research Institute received moderate ranks but they were not considered as providing adequate support to organic pepper production. Constraints experienced by both farmers and extension officers were studied and it was found out that extension officers considered that inadequate supply of quality inputs as the most important constraint. Most of the farmers reported unavailability of exclusive market for organic produce as the most important constraint. Low productivity and unawareness of organic standards was also considered as important constraints. Thus certification and assured market were inferred as the critical factors of organic pepper cultivation in the district.