Question map
Which one of the following States is the largest producer of black pepper in India ?
Explanation
Historically, Kerala was the leading producer of black pepper in India, often accounting for over 75% of total production [t3]. However, recent agricultural data from the Directorate of Arecanut and Spices Development (2020-21) and other official sources indicate that Karnataka has overtaken Kerala to become the largest producer [t4][t7]. Karnataka leads both in terms of area (approximately 160,774 ha) and production (around 36,000 to 81,000 tonnes depending on the year), followed by Kerala and Tamil Nadu [t4][t7]. This shift is attributed to the expansion of cultivation in districts like Kodagu and the integration of pepper into coffee and arecanut plantations [t7]. While Kerala remains a major traditional hub, its productivity has faced challenges compared to the rising output in Karnataka [t1][t7]. Therefore, Karnataka is currently the largest producer of black pepper in India.
Sources
- [1] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2950509724000236