21-05-2025
Black pepper cultivation to be taken up in Kandhamal
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Berhampur:
Kandhamal
, the tribal-dominated district famous for its organic turmeric, is set to become a major hub for cultivation of another spice — black pepper. The district administration has decided to take up
black pepper cultivation
on a massive scale during the current kharif season for the first time. The administration has identified around 500 acres of land in five blocks for its plantation under
Mukhya Mantri Jana-Jati Jeevika Mission
(MMJJM), a
tribal livelihood initiative
of the state govt.
The administration has identified cultivating black pepper, known as the "king of spices," in clusters in community forests. These are the titles given to the tribal people under the Forest Rights Act (FRA) in Daringbadi (212 acres), Raikia (93 acres), (85 acres), (70 acres), and Tumudibandh (40 acres), involving around 4,000 households.
The cultivation will be carried out by the
Integrated Tribal Development Agency
(ITDA) Baliguda, with support from the horticulture department and Krusi Vikash Kendra (KVK), sources said.
The proposal for the Rs 81 lakh project was submitted to the govt. The cultivation will start in the district next month, after getting approval, said Krupasindhu Behera, project administrator, ITDA, Baliguda.
The economic condition of farmers will improve in the area as demand for black pepper is high in the market, he said. Once crop harvesting starts after three years of plantation, it will continue for 25 years with proper care and management.
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The cultivator will get Rs 4.5 lakh to Rs 5.4 lakh per acre per year by harvesting the spice, he added.
Kandhamal's hilly terrain, climatic conditions, and good rainfall are suitable for black pepper cultivation. Some individual farmers have already cultivated and profited from it. "It has also been cultivated in the coffee garden at Daringbadi along with coffee," said Samiran Nayak.
"We have proposed to take up the plantation in an agroforestry model, where the existing trees like sal, mango, and silver oak would be used as supporting structures for the black pepper plants," said Nayak. He said they have already provided orientation to the farmers about its cultivation, while many farmers in the area showed their interest in cultivating it, he added.
