Executive Summary:
This document presents the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare's response to questions regarding black pepper cultivation in India. It outlines the government's support through the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) and specific programs implemented by the Directorate of Arecanut and Spices Development (DASD). The response details the states where black pepper cultivation is successful, the adoption of modern technologies, and the impact on farmers' income. It references data from 2014-15 to 2023-24 and addresses a question scheduled for August 12, 2025.
Key Points / Main Content:
Government Support for Black Pepper Cultivation:
* The Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) provides financial assistance for black pepper farmers, including support for planting materials, area expansion, IPM/INM promotion, and post-harvest management.
* The Directorate of Arecanut and Spices Development (DASD) implements programs through State Agricultural Universities (SAU) and ICAR Institutes, focusing on:
* Production and distribution of nucleus planting materials.
* Setting up hi-tech nurseries.
* Accreditation of black pepper nurseries.
* Frontline demonstrations to promote organic production.
* Supporting ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research for varietal authentication techniques.
Black Pepper Cultivation Status:
* Black pepper is successfully cultivated in approximately ten states, including Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Meghalaya, Maharashtra, Goa, Tripura, Andhra Pradesh, and West Bengal, with cultivation areas ranging from approximately 500 ha to 2 lakh hectares.
* Cultivation is progressing through high-yielding varieties and modern technologies, showing increased area and production in states like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Goa and West Bengal.
* Uttar Pradesh is not a prominent black pepper growing state.
Impact on Farmers' Income:
* No authentic studies are available to confirm the exact role of black pepper in increasing farmers' income.
* The increase in area and production, along with favorable prices, significantly contributes to farmers' income.
Impact Analysis:
Farmers:
* Impact: Farmers benefit from government schemes, modern technologies, and increased production, potentially leading to higher income.
* Action Required: Farmers should utilize available government schemes and adopt modern cultivation techniques to increase black pepper production.
State Agricultural Universities (SAU) and ICAR Institutes:
* Impact: SAUs and ICAR Institutes are responsible for implementing programs related to black pepper cultivation and research.
* Action Required: SAUs and ICAR Institutes should continue to develop and disseminate high-yielding varieties, modern technologies, and best practices for black pepper cultivation.
Directorate of Arecanut and Spices Development (DASD):
* Impact: Responsible for implementing specific programs to support black pepper cultivation.
* Action Required: DASD should continue implementing programs to improve the quality and quantity of black pepper production.
Key Entities Referenced
Black Pepper: A spice crop, the cultivation of which is the subject of the policy.
Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH): A centrally sponsored scheme implemented from 2014-15 for holistic development of horticulture.
Directorate of Arecanut and Spices Development (DASD): An organization that directly implements specific programmes through State Agricultural Universities and ICAR Institutes.
State Agricultural Universities (SAU): Universities that partner with DASD to implement black pepper programs.
ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research: An ICAR institute supporting the development of scientific techniques for varietal authentication of black pepper.
Karnataka: A major black pepper growing State in India, where cultivation has seen increases.
Kerala: A major black pepper growing State in India
Tamil Nadu: A major black pepper growing State in India, where cultivation has seen increases.
O.I.H
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE & FARMERS WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE & FARMERS WELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3875
TO BE ANSWERED ON 12TH August, 2025
CULTIVATION OF BLACK PEPPER
3875: SHRI UJJWAL RAMAN SINGH:
Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ(cid:874)ष एवं (cid:873)कसान
क(cid:227)याण मं(cid:287)ी be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is a fact that the Government proposes to provide special benefits to
farmers for cultivating black pepper to increase the profits of the farmers of the country;
(b) if so, the number of States in the country where black pepper is being cultivated
successfully at present;
(c) whether cultivation of black pepper being done through modern technology is
satisfactory in different States of the country, particularly in Uttar Pradesh; and
(d) whether there has been increase in the income of farmers due to this and if so, the
details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
कृ(cid:874)ष एवं (cid:873)कसान क(cid:227)याण रा(cid:207)य म(cid:287)ं ी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)
(a): Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), a Centrally Sponsored
Scheme is being implemented from 2014-15 with the aim for holistic development of
horticulture in the country. Under MIDH, several development programs are available
for the benefit of pepper farmers in the country, wherein financial assistance is being
provided for various components i.e. production of planting materials, area expansion,
promotion of IPM/INM, integrated post-harvest management etc.
Apart from the above, the Directorate of Arecanut and Spices Development
(DASD) directly implements specific programmes through State Agricultural
Universities (SAU) and ICAR Institutes located in the major pepper growing States.
The major programmes taken up by DASD for black pepper are as under: Production and distribution of nucleus planting materials of high yielding
varieties of black pepper
Setting up of hi-tech nurseries to ensure a steady supply of high-quality planting
materials of spices including black pepper
Accreditation of black pepper nurseries in both the public and private sectors
Establishment of frontline demonstration to promote organic production
technology in black pepper
Supporting ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research for developing a scientific
technique for varietal authentication of black pepper
(b): Black pepper is cultivated as a successful means of livelihood in around ten States
across the country, with the area under cultivation ranging from approximately 500 ha
to 2 lakh hectares. The major black pepper growing States include Karnataka, Kerala,
Tamil Nadu, Meghalaya, Maharashtra, Goa, Tripura, Andhra Pradesh, and West
Bengal. In addition, black pepper is also cultivated to a limited extent in Nagaland,
Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Puducherry, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram etc.
(c): Black pepper cultivation in the country is progressing through the spread of high
yielding varieties and adoption of modern technologies in crop production, integrated
pest/disease management etc. For instance, in Karnataka, the area under black
pepper cultivation increased by 38%, and production rose by 36% during the five-year
period from 2019-20 to 2023-24. Similarly, the black pepper cultivation is gaining
momentum in States like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Meghalaya, West Bengal
etc. This increase in both area and production have been achieved through adoption
of the latest available technologies in crop management. However, Uttar Pradesh is
not a prominent black pepper growing State.
(d): No authentic studies are currently available revealing the role of black pepper in
increasing the income of black pepper farmers. However, it is evident that the increase
in area and production of black pepper coupled with good prevailing prices is
significantly contributing to the increase of farmers' income.
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