Tribal farmers from Vanchivayal in Kerala's hilly and backward Idukki district will be exporting about four tonnes of organic black pepper to Germany from this month. The export purchase order in this regard was handed over to Geeta Ramesh, Chairperson of the Vanchivayal Eco-Development committee by State Forest minister, Binoy Viswom, at a function here.

Speaking at the function, the minister said the efforts of the tribal farmers have paid dividends with their products getting international certification. Export license and spices board recognition was also received,he said.

This was not a small achievment, he said.

There was need to increase the quantity of export and bring in other spices including ginger, cardamom, he said.

About 59 familes belonging to the Urali tribe will be exporting their pepper in this consignment. By next year, Paliyam and Mannan tribes would also be exporting pepper.

Fifty five families residing in five colonies in the East division of the Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Mannarkudi and Vancihvayal areas are involved in the venture.

In a scheme drawn up by the forest department, in the first phase, starting this month, they would start exporting about five tonnes of pepper to a cooperative of farmers in Germany -- Ecoland Herbs and Spices.

Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) Deputy Director, Padma Mohanti told PTI that the cooperative has come forward to collaborate with the Periyar Foundation and Eco Development Committee (EDC)s of the PTR to buy the products directly from the farmers.

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