Jayathilak steps down as chairman of Spices Board

A Jayathilak relinquished his post as Spices Board Chairman today after an eventful five-year stint, which witnessed spices export surging to a record Rs 16,283 crore against Rs 6,840.7 crore in 2010-11.
His tenure also saw innovative spice products like spice chocolates (flavours of chilli, cinnamon, cardamom, cumin, clove and mace), which were introduced during this time, gaining huge popularity in the national and international trade fairs.
The export from north-eastern states also clocked record figures with a 353 per cent increase in quantity and 620 per cent in value, also for the first time in the Board's history.
Several value-added spice-based products like shampoos, creams, oils and fabrics were also introduced during his tenure.

"As part of promoting unique brand image of Indian spices, the Board set up two signature spice stores in New Delhi and one at Kochi. It serves an experiential centre for stakeholders to touch, smell and feel spices and educate them on various culinary, nutraceutical and medicinal use of spices," Jayathilak said in a release.
India's biggest Spices Park at Guntur in Andhra Pradesh was also launched during his tenure.
In addition to the three existing Quality Evaluation Laboratories (QELs), four more were established in the last five years at Chennai, Narela, Tuticorin and Kandla, he noted.