Farmers worry as pepper vines turn brown in Napoklu

The fallen rates of pepper has disappointed the farmers, who have already incurred the loss in coffee in Napoklu. Though the market rate of pepper has soared in, the crop loss due to disease has worried the farmers. At present, the market rate of pepper is Rs 520 to Rs 550. 

But, in Napoklu, the ready-for-harvest pepper vines in the farms have turned brown, resulting in crop loss. The leaves and pepper grains wither from the vines. In spite of providing manure and using insecticides, the crops have been affected badly, the farmers say.

Usually, when the coffee rates drop, pepper crops came to the rescue. But this time, the farmers are equally disappointed in both the crops.

Kerala produces the highest quantity of pepper with 26,000 metric tonne. The pepper produce in Karnataka is 13,000 tonne and an average of 5500 tonne of the crop is produced in Kodagu itself. The farmers anticipate a huge fall in pepper production in state this time.