ABSTRACT
Black pepper has originated in the tropical evergreen forests of Western Ghats of South India. From ancient times, the Malabar coast of South India (consisting of the state of Kerala and parts of Karnataka), was the major producer and exporter of pepper. The state of Kerala, accounts for around 95 per cent of the area under cultivation and production. Major pepper growing districts of Kerala are Idukki, Wynad, Cannanore, Kasaragod and Calicut. The adjoining states of Kerala viz., Karnataka on the west coast and Tamil Nadu on the east coast together accounted around 5 per cent of the area and production of pepper (Table 4.1.1).
