For the past seven to eight years, Chirkey disease has made large cardamom a difficult crop for many farmers in Nagaland. Ariba Anar, State Coordinator of NERAMAC, estimates that the outbreak seven to eight years ago wiped out 80–90% of production.
Speaking to MT, Anar said the disease had discouraged many growers from continuing with large cardamom cultivation. He said the virus spreads rapidly and has no cure, with the main mitigation measures being the removal and burning of affected plants and the use of new planting material from nurseries.
The Spices Board has been working for the past two to three years to revive cultivation, David Ng, Officer-in-Charge of the Board’s Kohima field office, said.
Ng said Nagaland had 4,539 hectares under large cardamom during 2025–26, with production reported at 1,202 metric tonnes. He said the area under cultivation had increased by around 3.15% in recent years.
The production figure could not be independently verified by MT.
Speaking to MT, Ng said, the Board’s efforts include expanding the area under cultivation, establishing certified nurseries and providing support for irrigation and post-harvest infrastructure such as dryers.
Despite the impact of Chirkey disease, Ng said Nagaland continues to have considerable potential for large cardamom cultivation. Except for Dimapur and Niuland, almost all districts have suitable conditions, particularly areas below 500–600 metres above sea level.
Anar said Mon, Zunheboto and Phek are among the districts with the highest levels of cardamom cultivation. Ng also said renewed interest in cultivation is being seen in Eastern Nagaland, while Mokokchung, which previously had growers, was affected by the disease outbreak.
Market access remains another concern for growers, particularly those in interior areas.
Anar said the current market price of large cardamom was around Rs 1,100–1,500 per kg and that produce from Nagaland is largely, if not entirely, marketed outside the State.
Ng said the involvement of middlemen can affect the returns received by growers even when demand for the spice is high. He said the growth of Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), along with regular dissemination of prevailing cardamom prices, could help improve market access and reduce dependence on middlemen.
Anar said Pfuchama has an advantage as a potential spice-growing destination because of its accessibility to markets, particularly Dimapur.
The officials also pointed to the need for better post-harvest handling and infrastructure as the sector seeks to recover from the disease-related losses.
The issues came up during a Regional Seminar on Large Cardamom and King Chilli organised by the Spices Board, Field Office, Kohima, at Pfuchama village on August 25.
During the technical sessions, growers raised queries on establishing nurseries for large cardamom and King Chilli, accessing government schemes, climate-related challenges in King Chilli, spice price fluctuations and organic certification.
The seminar was attended by growers associated with the Ketsiezou Multipurpose Co-operative Society, Pfuchama, as well as farmers from Pfuchama, Kigwema and Phesama.