Cardamom, also known as “small cardamom” or “green cardamom”, is a valuable spice grown especially in South India. Its cultivation can earn a good income if you adopt the right technique.
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1. Climate & Location:
Ideal temperature: 10°C to 35°C
High humidity: 70-90%
Altitude: 600 to 1500 m
Rainfall: 1500-4000 mm per year
Shady and cool place is best (like hilly areas)
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2. Soil:
Sandy loam or red loam soil
pH: 5.5 to 6.5
Drainage should be good
Organic matter should be high
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3. Varieties:
Malabar: More spreading
Mysore: Straight growing
Vazukka: Hybrid variety
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4. Planting Material:
Prepare plants from seeds or rhizomes
In nursery Raise for 10-12 months
Plant distance: 2×2 meters
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5. Manure & Fertilizer:
Farmer manure: 5-10 kg per plant annually
NPK: 75:75:150 grams per plant (give twice – June and October)
Also use organic fertilizers like neem khali, vermicompost
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6. Irrigation:
Transplant after first rain
Once a week in summer
Drip irrigation is better
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7. Disease and Pest Control:
Root rot and capsule borer are common diseases
Use Trichoderma, Neem oil and organic pesticides
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8. Harvesting:
First production in 2-3 years
Crop period: October to February
Handpicking is done
Sell in market only after drying Sell
How much profit can be made from cardamom cultivation in 1 acre and where to do marketing?
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1. Cost and profit (for 1 acre):
Description Estimated amount (INR)
Field preparation ₹10,000
Seeds/Plants ₹15,000
Manures and fertilizers ₹10,000
Irrigation and maintenance ₹12,000
Labour ₹15,000
Other expenses (diseases, care etc.) ₹8,000
Total cost (yearly) ₹70,000
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2. Yield and income:
First harvest: After 2-3 years
Yield per acre: 100 to 200 kg (in initial years)
With good care: 300-500 kg/acre (in 4-5 years)
Market price: ₹2000 to ₹4000 per kg (depends on quality)
> Average Income (say 300 kg x ₹2500/kg) = ₹7,50,000/year
=> Profit: ₹7.5 lakh – ₹70,000 = ₹6.8 lakh (every year)
(After the first harvest, i.e. 2-3 years waiting is necessary)
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3. Where to market?
Local Mandi and Traders:
Cardamom Mandis of Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu (Idukki, Coorg, Wayanad)
Big Markets and Exporters:
Join Spices Board of India
Can sell on E-NAM (National Agri Market) portal
Contact Exporter – Big demand in Dubai, Middle East and Europe
Online Marketing:
Can create brand on platforms like Amazon, Flipkart, BigBasket
Do direct sales on Instagram or WhatsApp
—Health Benefits of Cardamom:
Small cardamom is not only beneficial for taste and aroma, but also for health. Its main benefits are given below:
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1. Beneficial for digestive system
Relieves gas, indigestion, and flatulence.
Increases appetite and improves digestion.
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2. Removes bad breath
Freshens mouth and kills bacteria.
Works as a mouth freshener.
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3. Helps in controlling high blood pressure
It contains potassium which controls blood pressure.
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4. Increases immunity
Being rich in antioxidants, it protects the body from infections.
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5. Relief from cold and cough
Taking it with hot water provides relief from sore throat and cough.
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6. Helpful in detox and weight loss
Removes toxins from the body.
Increases metabolism, which keeps weight under control.
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7. Beneficial in diabetes
Can help balance blood sugar.
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8. Beneficial for skin and hair
Makes the skin shiny and helps prevent hair fall.