Giving a boost to spice cultivation in India
India is one of the largest producer, consumer, and exporter of spices in the World. We have an illustrious history of producing and exporting the spices to over 80 countries and Western countries and the middle-east look up to India for the imports of spices in their countries. India is celebrated widely for producing high-quality spices like cumin, black pepper, cardamom, ginger, chilies, and turmeric.
However, even the cultivation of spices is becoming a victim of lousy agriculture practices by excessive and unregulated use of fertilisers and pesticides to boost their production. The rampant use of pesticides and chemical fertilisers leave its catastrophic residues and also pollutes the soil and environment. And this is the reason why traders shun many of our crops of spices for export to other countries as they've failed to comply with the standards due to its poor quality. There is a dire need to address this issue to make sure the proper cultivation and trade practices of spices.
IFFCO Kisan provides experts advice to hundreds of FPO's and progressive farmers related to the right and best practices of cultivation of spices. Also, IFFCO Kisan is associated with the trading of cumin and turmeric and facilitates progressive farmers and FPO's for easy trade practices of spices. There are various quality enhancement programs sponsored by IFFCO Kisan along with the crop specific, zone-specific advisory services in vernacular languages. IFFCO Kisan is encouraging and supporting farmers to adopt good agriculture practices (GAP's) and helps in ensuring that our spices adhere to the requirements of the export demanded by the traders.
Sandeep Malhotra, MD, and CEO, IFFCO Kisan, said, "We've initiated the training programs at block and district levels to different FPOs and farmers regarding the adoption of good agriculture practices. We have been encouraging the farmers to adopt GAP's and produce safe and harmless spices which will comply with the International norms and standards, it will help them to get good prices of their produce".
He further added, "Due to the wide acceptance of organic farming, FPOs and their progressive farmers have started the organic farming of spices under the guidance of IFFCO Kisan. It will keep the taste and health benefits intact. As the consuming countries like the US, Vietnam, and UAE have strict quality assurance norms, quality is an essential parameter for export of spices."
