Sirsi: Illegal imports of black pepper have resulted in price fall in the local market. The spice, which was sold for Rs 1 lakh a quintal, four months ago is now being purchased at government rate of Rs 32,000 to Rs 36,000, a quintal.

Farmers are lamenting that rate of black pepper, which was between Rs 30,000 to Rs 35,000 three years ago, is again being bought at the same price. Farmers fear chances of price of black pepper falling further.

As prices of black pepper shot up to Rs 50,000 a quintal, farmers of the region had taken to cultivating the cash crop. However, the prices fallen again, much to the dismay of the farmers.

“Earlier, black pepper was not our staple crop. It was side crop for areca nut growers. However, with pepper fetching good returns and even government providing support price, farmers took to cultivating the crop in more scientific manner. However, fall in price, makes it economically infeasible to cultivate,” said Raghavendra Hegde, a black pepper grower.

Multiple reasons

According to horticulture department records three years ago, the district had 770 hectare of land covered under black pepper. However, this year the total area covered under black pepper has risen to 2,500 hectare.

Experts say there are multiple reasons for fall in prices of black pepper, one of them being imports from Bangladesh and Nepal. They said low quality black pepper was being mixed with higher quality product while being imported from other countries. Exporting countries are also misusing the SAARC agreement.

The black pepper, which is being imported from Vietnam, is being sold at Rs 200 a kg, at the same price it is being imported. Unless government stops illegal imports, it would be difficult for local growers to compete in the market.

Experts opine that on an average India requires 75,000 tonnes of pepper annually, whereas it produce only 60,000 tonnes. Though demand outstrips production, yet the price of pepper were falling and the reason being illegal imports. It is estimated every year nearly 20,000 tonnes of black pepper is being imported into India.