| Spices Board steps in to empower farmers | |
| BS Reporter / Mumbai/ Pune Feb 15, 2012, 00:08 | | | | | |
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The Spices Board of India has been undertaking programmes throughout the country especially in the states of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh to effectively link the spices farmers of these states to the supply chain linked to exports.
These efforts had so far helped the farmers engaged in farming of spices like cumin, fennel, fenugreek, dill, coriander, mustard, chillies and turmeric the cause of farmers of cardamom, pepper and nutmeg.
"The Indian spice industry will take up a quality capacity building exercise jointly with USFDA (US Food and Drug Administration) enabling every segment of the spice industry to face the challenges of international trade and commerce in spices. This will start right from the spices growers across the country," said A Jayathilak, chairman of the Spices Board India. He was speaking at the concluding session of the 11th World Spice Congress in Pune on Tuesday.
He added, "The Spices Board will also set up task forces for various spices to address all the issues of quality, linkages and sourcing. The Board has proposed plans for the programmes in the next plan period to focus attention on export oriented production of ten spices like nutmeg, chilli, mint, cumin, fennel, coriander, fenugreek, black pepper, turmeric, ginger. Cardamom is already a focus commodity. The farmers in the remote growing villages will become part of the international link and this will be an effective and great link in the supply chain ensuring traceability."
Also, Spices Board is initiated 'Sugandha Sangams' programme in the country where the focus is on to bring into the fold the farmers, traders, processors, exporters, scientists, officials of the Departments of Agriculture and Horticulture besides the agriculture and horticulture universities of the States.
All the quality labs of the Spices Board will soon be accredited for the very latest certifications for international acceptability.
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