Growers in Kerala’s cardamom belt are reportedly facing a year-round harvest cycle linked to warming temperatures, prompting heavier use of chemicals in the crop.
According to experts, some farmers are mixing up to five or six products — including insecticides, fungicides, micronutrients and growth promoters — into a single tank before spraying.
These so-called “tank cocktails” are said to weaken cardamom plants, increase disease risk and harm essential pollinators, raising concerns over the long-term health of the crop ecosystem.
