Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

THE STUDY ON ECOFRIENDLY PRACTICES OF LARGE CARDAMOM (AMOMUM SUBULATUM ROXB.) CULTIVATION IN SIKKIM AND DARJEELING REGION

B.A. Gudade, P. Chhetri, U. Gupta, N.K. Bhattrai, T.N. Deka and A. K. Vijayan

Abstract

Large cardamom is an important cash crop of Sikkim and Darjeeling district of West Bengal. About 80-85 % of large cardamom is being produced annually from these regions, which are emerging as India’s organic large cardamom hub. Most of the tribal farmers living in remote places are following traditional methods of large cardamom cultivation, which are eco-friendly, less expensive due to utilization of local resources, knowledge and labour. Traditional agricultural practices can play a key role in the design of sustainable and eco-friendly agricultural systems, increasing the likelihood that the rural population will accept, develop and maintain innovations and interventions. Eco-friendly agriculture implies the use of organic nutrients and adoption of natural methods of plant protection in place of fertilizers and pesticides. Hence, realizing the importance of sustainable agriculture of farming systems that are environmentally sound, profitable production and maintain the social fabric of the rural community, this study was undertaken to establish and enhance rural environment. Documentation was done to keep record of prevalence of practices for the coming generation.