CARDAMOM AGROECOLOGY PROJECT
Pesticide Action Network India has continuously been inspired to implement an agroecology project that lays the foundation for strengthening agroecology in cardamom
farming through capacity building in a phased manner which include short-term and long-
term strategies that has been launched to foster cross-learning among farmers and institutions, clustered into multiple groups.
The project is trying address issues and challenges related to current farming practices and agrochemical use, reducing the use of hazardous pesticides, while promoting non chemical methods based on agroecology.
The project focuses to develop opportunities for a paradigm shift from conventional farming into agroecology through capacity building of farming community.
The use of toxic pesticides has been linked to serious health problems in humans which vary from short-term or acute hazards to long-term or chronic hazards such as cancer, reproductive toxicity, and gene mutations. The continuous use of pesticides has not only depleted our soil health but also reduced the quality of our daily resources. Multiple pesticide residues were found in vegetable and spice samples taken from Kerala local markets as part of the 48th “safe to eat” initiative of the Kerala government.
Pesticide residues have frequently been discovered in food products, crops, groundwater, poultry, and even human blood. Cardamom also fails to fit the safe consumption criteria for both domestic and export markets due to the presence of multiple pesticide residues, which is a severe concern. Several foreign governments are also enforcing trade restrictions on the export of goods that are high in pesticide residue. These contemporary issues have prompted a shifty response from the general public, but there are no definite plans of action or goals in place.
With its rich loamy soil, evergreen forest cover, and copious amounts of rain, Idukki offers
the ideal environment for the growth of the priceless queen of spice, cardamom.
Indiscriminate use of Hazardous Pesticides is being widely reported in the cardamom sector
in the district. The use of these pesticides has unquestionably resulted in severe health effects
in humans and extensive damage to the environment and its life forms apart from failing to
meet food safety standards.
Field Study
Assesing Soil Health
Capacity-Building Programmes
Raising Model Farm
Facilitation for PGS Certification
Addressing challenges in marketing
Cardamom Agroecology Project was launched on 26th September 2023 at Adimali. Sowmya Anil, Grama Panchayat president, Adimali inaugurated the event. Ashly Mariamma George, Assistant director of Agriculture, Adimali delivered the key note speech.
Orientation session conducted for farmers in Konnathadi on 24th January 2024. M Nafeesa, Assistant professor of Cardamom Research Station Pampadumpara delivered a talk on the adverse effects of pesticide use in cardamom and introduced non chemical cardamom farming techniques to farmers.
Orientation and training on non-chemical farming practices by Dr Muthuswami Murugan, professor and head of CRS Pampadumpara, conducted for Cardamom farmers in Idukki as part of the ongoing works of Cardamom Agroecology Project on17/4/24
Three day interactive session with 164 cardamom farmers in Konnathady. P C Anoop Kumar(Organic farmin expert) gave expert advice on soil helath, Pest and disease management for the farmers from Muniyara, Kombodinjal and Churuli.
Training of Trainers TOT programme for farmers on 4th and 5th of September 2024. Dr Muthuswami Murugan (Head and Prof. CRS Pampadumpara), Dr M Nafeesa ( Prof. CRS Pampadumpara), P C Anoop Kumar (Organic farming expert) and Usha Shoolapani (Agri expert) led sessions on non-chemical farming practices.
——September 2023 marked the Project’s start, and there will be more updates soon——