5-Apr-2021: Spices Board India and UNDP India's Accelerator Lab sign MoU to develop blockchain-powered traceability Interface for Indian spices

Spices Board India under Ministry of Commerce and Industry and UNDP India’s Accelerator Lab today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with the aim to build a blockchain based traceability interface for Indian spices to enhance transparency in supply chain and trade.

Blockchain is a decentralized process of recording transactions on an open and shared electronic ledger. This allows for ease and transparency in data management across a complex network, including, farmers, brokers, distributors, processors, retailers, regulators, and consumers, thus simplifying the supply chain. It will allow farmers just as all other members of the supply chain to access the information which further makes the entire supply chain more efficient and equitable.

UNDP and Spices Board India are working towards integrating the Blockchain Traceability Interface with the e-Spice Bazaar portal developed by Spices Board India for connecting spices farmers with markets. Design of the Blockchain interface is expected to be completed by May’21. The project will be piloted with over 3,000 farmers engaged in chilly and turmeric farming in select Districts of Andhra Pradesh.

On this joint initiative, Shri. D. Sathiyan, Secretary, Spices Board India said that India is the largest exporter, producer and consumer of spices in the world.  India’s spices export crossed a milestone of 3 Bn USD during 2019-20 and our estimates indicate that we would cross that milestone and achieve a new high during the 2020-21. Spices Board, the agency responsible for export promotion of Indian spices in the world markets, is happy about these achievements and would like to facilitate further growth in the sector.

Shri. D. Sathiyan said that the changing order in the global spices and food sector has increased the relevance of infrastructure development for value addition, certification for quality and food safety, implementation of traceability systems, promotion of spices highlighting the immunity boosting properties, etc., and the Board has been working tirelessly to provide support to the stakeholders of the sector and to strengthen the supply chain so as to position India as the premier destination for clean and safe spices to the world.

This UNDP-Spices Board joint initiative to build a blockchain-powered traceability interface for Indian spices is another significant milestone in our journey to make the spices value chain efficient, transparent and equitable for all stakeholders. This traceability interface is expected to enhance consumer confidence and facilitate sourcing of spices for exports as well as for local value addition and use.  Upon successful demonstration, the Board would like to expand the reach of this interface to cover all major spices and regions of the country, and expects to have continuous partnership and support from the UNDP.

Speaking on the collaboration, Ms. Shoko Noda, Resident Representative, UNDP India, said, “We are confident that the blockchain interface will help connect the spice farmers with international markets and add to their income. The technology can also help in rebuilding the pandemic affected supply chains by providing trading partners and consumers with trusted and secured data on goods and transactions.”

About Spices Board: Spices Board is one of the five Commodity Boards functioning under the Ministry of Commerce &Industry. It is an autonomous body responsible for the export promotion of the 52 scheduled spices and development of Cardamom (Small & Large). The main functions of the Spices Board are the following: (i) Research, Development and Regulation of domestic marketing of Small & Large Cardamom; (ii) Post-harvest improvement of all spices; (iii) Export promotion of all spices and assisting exporters in technology upgradation, quality management, brand promotion, research & product development; (iv) Development of spices in the North East; (v) Regulation of quality of spices for exports through its quality evaluation services; etc.

About UNDP: UNDP works across 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty while protecting the planet. We help countries develop strong policies, skills, partnerships, and institutions so they can sustain their progress. UNDP has worked in India since 1951 in almost all areas of human development, from systems strengthening to inclusive growth and sustainable livelihoods, as well as sustainable energy, environment, and resilience. UNDP’s programmes continue to integrate a global vision for catalytic change with India’s national priorities. With over 30 projects on the ground in almost every state, today, it works to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by transforming traditional models to do development differently.

29-Jan-2021: 14th BSM conducted by Spices Board in FY 2020-21, covering Chili and Turmeric

India is the world’s largest exporter of chili and turmeric, the exports of which have recorded a steady progress, over the years. During 2019-20, India exported 4,84,000 tonnes of chili and chili products valued at Rs.6211.70 crores which contributed to more than 40 per cent in volume and 29 per cent in value of India’s total spice exports. Turmeric held a share of 11 per cent in volume and 6 per cent in value of the export basket, with an export of 1,36,000 tonnes valued at Rs.1216.40 crores.

During the pandemic situation, the export of turmeric from India, a spice with immunity boosting properties, has recorded an impressive growth of 42 per cent in terms of volume during the first half of 2020-21.

Spices Board conducted the Virtual Buyer Seller Meet(BSM) for Chili and Turmeric, with focus on Andhra Pradesh, which saw participation from 245 stakeholders. This was the 14th BSM conducted by the Board in FY 2020-21. 

Highlighting the success of the BSMs in terms of better price discoveries by the remote areas and giving accessibility to farmers and farmer producer groups, Shri D Sathiyan, Chairman and Secretary, Spices Board stated that spices items in 225 categories were exported to 185 countries in the last year. He stressed on demand for value addition of spices and stated that the Spices Parks are available for entrepreneurs for availing processing and warehousing facilities.

Shri GVL Narsimha Rao, Hon’ble MP, Rajya Sabha and Member, Spices Board inaugurated the BSM and stated that the export quantity of chili has almost doubled in the last decade. He opined that integration between all segments of value chain will help to derive better value in export. He highlighted the need for more value addition in spices and urged the exporters to come up with ideas for enhancing export of value addition in chili and ways of investment in spice processing.

Spices Board and state Agri/Horti Departments have been putting in increasing efforts through various schemes and programmes in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana region which is a production hub of spices like chili, turmeric and pepper.

22-Jan-2021: Spices Board conducts Buyer Seller Meet for small cardamom

The Queen of Spices, small cardamom, is known the world over because of its pleasant aroma and taste. Kerala is the largest producer of small cardamom in the country, with Tamil Nadu and Karnataka being other producers. The export of small cardamom showed an upward trend during the first half of 2020-21, with a volume of 1900 MT valued at Rs 56.52 crores, registering an increase of 483 per cent in value terms and 369 per cent in quantitative terms.

The small cardamom sector does face challenges, both at the production and export fronts, due to natural calamities and other factors. Though the collective efforts of stakeholders have helped the Indian small cardamom sector to manage the challenges to a certain extent, further synergistic interventions across the supply chain have been initiated by the Spices Board for sustainable growth of the sector.

The Board conducted a virtual Buyer Seller Meet(BSM) today to address the concerns of the small cardamom industry and to provide a common platform for the stakeholders to interact directly and establish effective business linkages. The BSM saw participation of more than 130 stakeholders. The BSM would help in sourcing quality cardamom for export to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries.

Inaugurating the BSM, Adv Dean Kuriakose, Member of Parliament, Idukki, said that small cardamom is intertwined with the social fabric of the growers of Idukki and production and export of good quality cardamom will help to take this product worldwide. He lauded the efforts of the Board and commended the conducting of the BSM at this apt time in the wake of the sector facing challenges.

Shri Suresh Kumar PM and Dr Remashree AB, Directors, Spices Board stressed on sustainability and adherence to quality standards as key pointers for small cardamom export.

Spices Board has been supporting the small cardamom stakeholders throughout the various stages of the supply chain. It has various programs/activities for assistance for area expansion, nursery management and post-harvest improvement, promoting good agricultural practices, integrated pest management (IPM) and use of bio-control agents, creating awareness through campaigns, trainings and other programs, promoting collaborative movements amongst growers through Spice Producer Societies (SPS), R&D support and so on.

6-Jan-2021: Spices Board of India and DBT-SABC Biotech KISAN hub, in partnership with key stakeholders prepare a roadmap to boost export of coriander & minimize import to increase farmers’ income

The Spices Board of India and DBT-SABC Biotech Kisan Hub in collaboration with ICAR-NRCSS, RSAMB and Kota Agriculture University organized the World of Coriander webinar ‘Accelerating Quality Production, Post-Harvesting, Value Addition & Export of Coriander from India’ on 4th January 2020, with participation of more than hundred key stakeholders from various states.

The Hadoti region of South-East Rajasthan and Guna district of Madhya Pradesh is known for coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) production and contributes major share in coriander export from the country. 

Considering the vast potential of Hadoti-Guna region, Sh D Sathiyan, Chairman-cum-Secretary of the Spices Board of India urged the entrepreneurs and exporters to tap the tremendous opportunities in export of whole coriander and other processed products such as coriander split (daal), powder and essential oil. Smt Anu Shree Poonia, Spices Board Member, underlined the need for integrated and coordinated efforts from all departments to make Rajasthan the next spice manufacturing and export hub. With the same outlook, Sh PM Suresh Kumar, Director, Spices Board highlighted about common facility centre established by Spices Board in Spice Parks located at Jodhpur, Ramganj Mandi(kota) and Guna and on increased demand for Indian Spices in the International market, particularly Coriander.

Sh Tara Chand Meena, Administrator and Sh M L Gupta, Director (PHM), RSAMB, Government of Rajasthan talked about various schemes, incentives and funding opportunities at minimal cost being worked out to set up Agri-infrastructure, processing and value addition as part of different schemes under PM-FME scheme, Agri-export policy, FPOs, ODOP and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. The role of FPOs in supply chain viz. collection, aggregation and delivery were explained by Sh T Venkat Krishna General Manager of NABARD.

Dr. S.S. Meena, Principal Scientist, ICAR-NRCSS, Ajmer and Dr. Pratap Singh, Director (Research), Kota Agriculture University, Kota emphasized on varietal improvement and screening of different cultivars, promotion of IPM based good agricultural practices (GAP) and popularization of disease resistance varieties such as RKD-18 and ACR-1 to overcome the menace of stem gall (longia) disease, which is becoming an extreme concern  for farmers resulting in the contraction of planting of coriander in Hadoti region in recent years.

Dr Shrishail Kulloli of Spices Board drew attention on the value addition of coriander like vinegar, sausage, coriander powder and essential oils, through accelerated processing mechanism and preserving quality of coriander products through proper storage facility. Dr Dinesh Singh Bisht, Spices Board, highlighted the quality issues in coriander and reminded exporters to comply with quality standards and tackle issue of pesticide residue and sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS) with a great consideration to meet the growing quality requirements of importing countries particularly from developed countries including Japan, EU and USA.

Sh. Yashwant Bafna, Chairman, APMC, Ramganj Mandi and Sh PCK Maheshwaran, Coriander exporter deliberated on challenges faced by processers, industry and exporters and urged the Govt  to take immediate  measures to salvage farmers, industry and exporters from coriander price manipulation.

Summing up the world of coriander webinar, Dr Bhagirath Choudhary, Board member, APEDA and Director, DBT-SABC Biotech Kisan Hub appealed for implementing an actionable plan to increase quality production, aggregation by FPO, post-harvest management, value addition and export of coriander from India. Production of coriander seed varieties resistant to stem gall (longia) disease, the distribution of quality seeds to increase seed replacement rate (SRR), good agricultural practices (GAP) and IPM based production system were proposed.

Exploring value added products such as Indian curry powder and mouth freshener imbued by coriander were suggested as way forward to increase coriander usages both in domestic as well as export market.

Ramganj APMC Mandi located at Kota district is the largest coriander mandi in Asia, and thus Ramganj is also known as the ‘Coriander city’. Recently, GOI’s Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MOFPI) has assigned ‘Coriander’ to the district of Kota in the list of One District One Product (ODOP).