REGIONAL VARIATIONS IN THE PERFORMANCE OF BLACK PEPPER CULTIVATION IN KERALA: An exploration of non price factors

Abstract

It is often argued that the performance of agricultural sector is influenced by number factors- both price and non-price. Studies on Kerala agriculture have shown that, driven by these factors, the cropping pattern in Kerala has undergone major changes which inter alia included a shift away from food crops to commercial crops. The key question however arises here is, whether the performance of these crops in terms of area, production and yield in Kerala varied across regions and the influencing factors therein. Since the markets are highly integrated, the role of price factors is expected to be minimal. Hence the present paper undertakes an analysis on the cultivation of Black pepper in Kerala with a view to explore the role of non price factors especially the institutional arrangements, behind the acreage decision of pepper growers and the enhancement of pepper production in Kerala. Dawing from the analysis of available secondary data and primary survey in Idukki and Wayanad, the study presents evidences for regional variation in acreage allocation towards black pepper in Kerala especially in northern and central Kerala. The failure of institutional support at proper time and the lack of coordination among agencies concerned lead the growers to move away from black pepper to other commercial crops. Drawing from its findings, the study calls for more intense institutional intervention and highlights the need for better coordination among various agencies to provide the extension services and support at the proper time to the pepper growers.