Kerala has started a ₹2,365 crore project to help farmers replant cardamom, rubber, and coffee with climate-friendly varieties. The scheme is part of the Kerala Climate Resilient Agri-Value Chain Modernisation (KERA) programme, backed by the World Bank, which provides 70% of the funding, while the state covers 30%. Suresh C. Thampi, procurement officer of KERA, said, "The project proposes to replant 3,500 hectares of cardamom by replacing low-yielding plants with high-yielding, climate-resilient varieties. Around 7,000 farmers are expected to benefit directly." Farmers who planted new crops last season can apply, using varieties recommended by the Spices Board. Cardamom growers with land between 25 cents and 8 hectares can get support to replant up to 2 hectares. The financial aid is ₹1 lakh per hectare, divided into two payments: ₹50,000 in each of two years. Those who applied for similar Spices Board subsidies cannot claim this KERA aid. Planters with more than 2 hectares can also take bank loans backed by the project. Mr. Thampi added, "For the past decade, cardamom farmers have faced severe challenges due to extreme weather events, including prolonged droughts and heavy rainfall. Transitioning to climate-resilient varieties is the only sustainable solution." Farmer S.B. Prabhakar said, "The new replanting initiative under the KERA project will be highly beneficial for cardamom farmers." Stany Pothen of Kerala Plantation Business Advisory Committee called the move a much-needed boost for the industry that adds crores to the state economy. Farmers can apply online at https://www.keraplantation.kerala.gov.in. KERA officers will check the farms before approving subsidies.