Agriculture & Spice Plantations

Spices in Pondicherry:

While Pondicherry is known for its culinary use of spices, it is not a primary region for large-scale spice cultivation like parts of Kerala or Karnataka. Historically, Pondicherry served as a significant trading port, where spices from other parts of India and Southeast Asia were traded by European powers.

• Local Spice Cultivation: Some spices are grown in limited quantities, mainly for local consumption or in mixed cropping systems. These include:
  • Chillies: A notable cash crop.
  • Turmeric: Can be grown as an intercrop.
  • Ginger: Often grown in high-density multi-species cropping systems.
  • Pepper: Primarily grown in the Mahé region due to its more suitable climate.
  • Other common spices: While not extensively cultivated, ingredients like curry leaves are ubiquitous, and smaller quantities of cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon might be found in diverse farming efforts, particularly in regions like Mahé.