Indian Institute of Spices Research (ICAR-IISR), Kozhikode, has developed an eco-friendly bio-pesticide to combat cardamom thrips, a destructive pest responsible for significant crop losses.
Cardamom, cultivated on over 70,000 hectares in India, is highly susceptible to thrips attacks, which damage 30-90 per cent of the capsules and can reduce yields by up to 45-48 per cent, resulting in an estimated monetary loss of ₹2-4 lakh per acre. This not only threatens farmers’ livelihoods but also affects the export quality of this high-value spice.
To manage infestations, farmers often rely on repeated chemical insecticide applications, which pose health risks and leave pesticide residues, raising concerns in global markets.
