Prospects of conversion of marshy areas — a techno-economic feasibility for cardamom cultivation

A model field investigation was conducted for converting the low-lying marshy area for cultivation of cardamom by adopting high production technology. The study area was completely marshy and was unsuitable for cultivation of any plantation crop. As cardamom is a moisture and shade-loving plantation crop, an attempt was made to bring the marshy area under cardamom cultivation by providing adequate drainage and raising fast-growing shade tree species. A detailed economic evaluation showed that by following intensive cultivation a moderate yield of 135 kg/ha could be obtained in the very second year after planting (19 months) comapred with 30 months required under the normal practice. A peak yield of 1,510 kg/ha was realised with an outstanding net return of Rs 4,32,737.95/ha in the third year (1994–95). On the whole an average yield of 691.67 kg/ha for 6 crop seasons (1993–94 to 1998–99) was obtained. Of the total costs, labour component accounted for a major share of 65.47% (Rs 61,770.41/ha), which highlights the generation of gainful employment opportunities for small and marginal farmers. The study revealed that the cultivation of cardamom in marshy areas would be an economically remunerative and ecologically feasible proposition, as the discounted cash flow measures viz., NPV (net profit value), BCR (benefit: cost ratio) and IRR (internal rate of return), justified the viability of cardamom cultivation. The payback period of 2.14 years indicated that the investment on cardamom can be met in 3 years by successful conversion of marshy areas.