"Spice farmers should double production to help reach

Spice farmers should double production and exporters need to increase trade with other countries to enable the country reach the targetted USD5 trillion economy and make India a global powerhouse by 2024-25, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Som Parkash said on Saturday.

He was speaking after inaugurating a function to present trophies and awards of the Spices Board to exporters for Excellence in Export of Spices and launch of new projects to ensure sustainable development of the spices sector here.

"The income of farmers should be doubled through increase in production so as to reach the target, which is also Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision.

Exporters should help in protecting the interest of the farmers to compete in the world market with quality products from India," he said.

Parkash said the Centre was in discussion with all stakeholders to achieve the goalof becoming a USD 5 trillion economy.

The Minister also stressed the need for formation of farmers clusters for all crops, as envisagedin the New Agriculture Export Policy, for integrating Indian farmers and agricultural products with the global value chains, which would help India achieve the set goal for agriculture exports.

India is one of the largest producers,exporters and consumers of spices globally.

The country produces around 180 spice products, which are exported to 160 countries.

The Minister pointed out that every state produces spices and its value added products, which come to around nine million metric tons a year