May 2020, South Asia

The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and the prolonged lockdown have made thousands of farmers, labourers and traders feel the pinch of a falling agriculture yield and sale.

Farmers have been at the receiving end of heavy losses as they are unable to harvest, process and transport farm products. Among them, spice growers have been one of the largest hit.

Tamil Nadu is one of the major growers of spices such as chili, pepper and cardamom in India. While pepper and cardamom are raised in hilly terrains on Western Ghats, chili is cultivated on semi-arid plains of southeastern districts.

Black gold (pepper) is cultivated as intercrop with coffee plantations in Kanyakumari, Thirunelveli, Virdhunagar, Theni and Dindigul districts. The first harvest starts in March-April and second season comes during June-July.