Approaching directly to the major retailers in the country for the distribution of cardamom, without getting into current multi-layered distribution system is the plan intends to be followed by Indian Farmers’ Movement (Infam), an organisation of farmers in the state.

“We had a preliminary discussion with a representative of Lulu Mall, which is coming up in Kochi,” said M C George, national trustee of Infam. “We expect a positive outcome from the meeting, and we have plans to talk to major retailers like More and Reliance Retail soon,” he noted.

Infam is also planning to approach Anoop Jacob, state minister for civil supplies, to find ways to sell cardamom through government-owned stores in the state. The Spices Board chairman had a discussion on Thursday with the representatives of the organisation on alternative methods to bypass the current auction system prevailing in the country. “Traders and auctioneers are manipulating the system, which is against the interests of farmers,” George said.

Furthermore, the organization of farmers is thinking to conduct auction at Muvattupuzha through its arm Infam Ela Karshaka Samithi. The group has approached the Spices Board for an auction licence. Currently, only five associations or private companies have the licence to conduct auctions.

“Ninety per cent of the cardamom business in Kerala is now controlled by traders from Tamil Nadu,” George observed. Infam has also demanded the free trade of cardamom.