The New Indian Express ·
Cardamom boom spices up Idukki land market, TN planters join rush
KOCHI: Four years ago, when planter Zachariah Njavellil sold a portion of his cardamom plantation in Idukki, he got around Rs 30 lakh an acre. Today, plantations adjoining the same property are quoting nearly Rs 80 lakh an acre -- with prime properties touching Rs 1 crore an acre.
The surge in cardamom prices has triggered a fresh rush for plantations in Idukki, with buyers from neighbouring Tamil Nadu emerging as a major force in the market.
“Four years ago, I sold part of my cardamom plantation holdings at Rs 30 lakh an acre. Now, the going rate for plantations adjacent to that plot is around Rs 80 lakh,” said Zachariah, a planter and member of the Cardamom Planters Federation.
