Milu Mathew and Devaraj R.
Abstract
Small cardamom is highly sensitive to shifts in rainfall, humidity, and temperature in the Western Ghats. This study assessed climate perceptions and adaptation practices among 180 small cardamom farmers in Idukki District, Kerala using a structured questionnaire administered across three Spices Board divisions. Farmers reported near-universal experience of irregular rainfall, warming, pest and disease pressure, and yield instability. Descriptive results showed high consensus on climate risk and impact, while adaptation was dominated by practical measures such as mulching, shade regulation, irrigation timing, organic manure use, altered pest management, water storage, precision irrigation, tree planting and insurance. Capital-intensive options such as subsoil irrigation and mobility responses were not widely adopted. The findings show that cardamom farmers already possess substantial experiential climate knowledge, but farm-level resilience requires low-cost technical support, stronger extension, affordable water-saving infrastructure and crop-specific finance.