Previous Year Question

Kerala is one of India's most important traditional spice-growing regions. Its humid tropical climate, slopes of the Western Ghats, abundant rainfall and well-drained soils provide favourable conditions for spice crops such as cardamom and black pepper.

In the case of Small Cardamom, data around the time of the examination are very clear. In 2017-18, India's total small cardamom production was about 20,650 tonnes, of which Kerala alone produced about 18,350 tonnes. Thus, Kerala accounted for nearly 89% of national production.

Within Kerala, Idukki and the Cardamom Hills are particularly famous for cardamom cultivation. Black pepper also has a very long history of cultivation in Kerala, and black pepper from the Malabar region has historically been important in international trade.

An important fact: State-wise leadership in black pepper production has changed over time. In later data, Karnataka overtook Kerala in pepper production.