SPICES PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY THROUGH LAB-TO-LAND PROGRAMME

Abstract

Spices production technology with major thrust on pepper based cropping system and/or raising pepper as mixed crop in coconut garden was implemented through lab· to-land programme (LLP) in three villages comprising ]85 farm families in Kozhikkode district during 1979-85. Bench-mark survey. farm plan for individual farmer and supply of inputs were carried out. A critical assessment at the end of the programme at Muthukad village showed that 98 % of the farm families cooperated with the project. Pepper has become the most popular crop amongst the farmers and in the pepper based cropping system the mean yield per pepper vine was 1.13 kg whereas in the mixed cropping system, yield was 0.90 kg. The mean yield obtained in the case of ginger cuitivar (Himachal) and turmeric (mixed local) was 24 and 36 Mt/ha, respectively. The mean per capita index per family was 1.99. Fifteen to twenty per cent additional employment Was also generated.