Vanilla is still economically viable
Having known the export potential of vanilla Spices Board during IX plan took up a programme to popularize the crop in Kerala and Karnataka. As a result by the end of the plan period about 320 hectares were brought under cultivation. The programme was extended with a targeted area of 5000 hectares for the X plan. At the end of 2004-05 planting season it is estimated that about 2000 hectares have been brought under the crop.