Trends in black pepper production in conventional and non-conventional regions of Karnataka

Abstract

The study was conducted during 2022-23 to study the trends in area, production and productivity of black pepper in the conventional and non-conventional regions of Karnataka. For the study conventional regions were chosen as districts where black pepper cultivation has been practiced for more than 25 years and they possess scientifically prescribed agro-climatic conditions suitable for black pepper cultivation. Non-conventional regions, on the other hand, were identified as districts where black pepper cultivation began recently and lacked the specified agro-climatic conditions. The study area was selected based on the extent of area under black pepper cultivation, utilizing data published by the Directorate of Economics and Statistics Karnataka. The result of the trend analysis indicated that in Karnataka area, production, and productivity of black pepper has been increasing at the rate of 22.90, 30.24, and 6.08 per cent respectively from year 2011-2022. For conventional region area, production, and productivity had seen an increase of 28.06, 30.27, and 2.46 per cent respectively. And the same for non-conventional region was 42.60, 44.61, and 1.33 per cent respectively. This shows that the area under black pepper has been increasing rapidly over the years. This increase in area can be attribute to increased price for the black pepper.