Mumbai, 19th September 2024
The Spices Board, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has launched a transformative scheme aimed at significantly enhancing the export of spices and value-added spice products, as well as improving the productivity of cardamom and upgrading the post-harvest quality of spices across India for export.
Various programs rolled out under the scheme ‘Sustainability in Spice Sector through Progressive, Innovative and Collaborative Interventions for Export Development (SPICED)’ will be implemented during the remaining period of the 15th Finance Commission cycle, until FY 2025-26, with a total approved outlay of Rs. 422.30 crore.
The SPICED scheme is expected to facilitate value addition and drive innovation and sustainability in the spice sector by introducing new sub-components/programs like the Mission Value Addition, Mission Clean and Safe Spices, promotion of GI (Geographical Indication) spices, and support for entrepreneurship through Spice Incubation Centres.
The scheme emphasizes farmers’ groups, FPOs (Farmer Producer Organizations), farmer clusters identified under ODOP (One District One Product) and DEH (District Export Hub), as well as SC/ST communities, exporters from the NE region, and SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises).
The programs under components such as improving the productivity of cardamom and post-harvest quality upgradation of spices are specifically designed to empower farmer groups, including FPOs, FPCs (Farmer Producer Companies), and SHGs (Self-Help Groups) in key spice-growing regions. These groups will be prioritized for post-harvest improvements, with targeted assistance provided to enhance the creation of an exportable surplus of spices in compliance with applicable food safety and quality standards.
The programs for cardamom focus on increasing the productivity of both small and large cardamom through replanting efforts, production of quality planting material, developing water sources, and adopting micro-irrigation systems. Additionally, there are programs to promote weather-based insurance to protect farmers’ interests. Similarly, post-harvest quality improvement of spices is addressed through initiatives like Mission Clean and Safe Spices, which focuses on post-harvest improvements by groups in identified clusters, promoting sustainable production, certification systems, and extension advisory services.
To further strengthen value addition in the spice sector, the Board is introducing components such as enhancing capacities for market expansion, trade promotion, and technological interventions. These components provide support for technological and infrastructural improvements in processing and value addition of spices, setting up or upgrading in-house laboratories, product development, market development, branding, and implementation of food safety and quality assurance mechanisms, all aimed at improving India’s global competitiveness in the spice sector.
To strengthen trade promotion efforts, programs have been designed to support participation in international fairs, buyer-seller meets, and the promotion of GI-tagged spices in domestic and global markets. Moreover, the Board provides financial assistance for Spice Incubation Centres to foster innovation and entrepreneurship, creating a platform for startups, SMEs, and entrepreneurs to develop new products and processes within the spice sector. Exporters with a valid Certificate of Registration as Exporter of Spices (CRES) are eligible for assistance under these programs, with preference given to first-time applicants and SMEs.
Receipt and processing of applications under the SPICED scheme will be conducted online. Spices Board officials will assist growers in submitting applications through the online portal, if needed. Scheme activities will be geo-tagged, and information on fund availability, application status, and beneficiary lists will be published on the Board’s website for better transparency.
This multifaceted scheme underscores the Board’s commitment to bolstering India’s spice industry, improving farmer livelihoods, and solidifying India’s position as a global leader in spice production, processing, and export.
The online submission of applications for availing assistance under various programs of the SPICED scheme will commence on September 20, 2024. For more information and assistance, interested stakeholders may visit the Board’s website at www.indianspices.com or contact the nearest Spices Board office.
DL/PM
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