The Hindu Business Line : Cardamom research body launches training programme

THE Indian Cardamom Research Institute (ICRI), an arm of the Spices Board, at Myladumpara in Kerala's Idukki district, has set up a Cardamom Training Complex as part of its technology transfer programmes.

The ICRI, in order to train young agriculturists, has started a three-month residential training programme for those with plus-two science background on good agricultural practices for quality spice production.

These trainees would go back to their farms and produce quality spices and disseminate the acquired skill to other farms around, Dr J. Thomas, Director, ICRI, told Business Line.

Thus, he said, an effective extension system would be built up linking practising farmers to the institute.

The research efforts of ICRI are also diverted towards evolving organic production technologies and to educate farmers on producing clean spices. Non-availability of quality organic inputs is one of the stumbling blocks for organic cultivation, he said. To overcome this, the Institute has a programme to train individual farmers or NGOs on bio-agent production. On farm production of vermin-compost through agro-waste recycling is also encouraged, he said.

The institute, he said, has been focussing its efforts to make cardamom cultivation sustainable. The integrated pest and disease management system developed and propagated is gaining acceptance among farmers, who have started realising the need for an eco-friendly management, Dr Thomas said.

The Spices Board Chairman, Mr C.J. Jose, inaugurated the Training complex. On this occasion, a cardamom growers meeting was also organised to educate farmers about the new facility, which would assist them to follow good agricultural practises, official sources added.

More Stories on : Spices & Condiments | Cultivation

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