ECONOMIC FEASIBILITY OF NUTMEG CULTIVATION IN KERALA

Abstract

Nutmeg is a major tree spice of Kerala. The wet tropical weather of the state is ideally suited to its growth. The tree is important for two spices derived from the fruit, nutmeg and mace. Both nutmeg and mace are currently among the most expensive spices, which are in high demand both domestically and internationally. Actually, it is without even meeting the domestic demand to the full that the country exports around 21 per cent of the output. The exports have also increased by 70 per cent in the past decade, due to their high prices prevailing in the international markets. So, increasing the area and production of the crop will definitely serve as means of gaining the much valued foreign exchange earnings and also saving it by reducing imports.