(a) the adverse effect of Indo-Srilankan accord especially in the pepper, cardamom,
arecanuts and other cash crops;
(b) whether the prices of pepper have declined due to this import policy; and
(c) the measures taken by the Government to assist the pepper cultivators?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI KANTI LAL BHURIA)
(a): No authentic information is available about any adverse effect of Indo-Srilankan accord.
(b): Price of black pepper has shown a declining trend since 2000-01. The price which ruled
at Rs 20,450 per quintal during 1999-2000 gradually declined to the level of Rs 6581 per quintal
in 2004-05. Pepper is mainly an exported oriented commodity, international markets determine
the price. Since 2000-01, the production scenario has changed due to increase in production in
majority of the traditional producing countries. Among them, Vietnam and Jakarta have
contributed significantly. Production of pepper in India during 2003-04 and 2004-05 was
moderately higher than the production recorded in the preceding year. The excess supply
production in the world market and high price level of Indian pepper, compared to other
countries put pressure on pepper price. As a result the price of pepper in both domestic and
international market has drastically come down.
(c): The government implements Market intervention scheme at specific request of the state
governments in event of fall in prices. To make Indian pepper more competitive and to increase
its production/productivity, several development programmes are being implemented under the
National Horticulture Mission such as, area expansion, integrated pest management, organic
farming, transfer of technology programmes, production of nucleus planting materials of high
yielding and export oriented varieties and their further multiplication and distribution through
State department nurseries and dissemination of technical information through seminars,
workshops and training programmes.