The Hindu Business Line : Spice park to come up in Guntur, pepper park in Kerala

Advertisement

Guntur Feb. 3 The Spices Board will set up a Spices Park in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, and a Pepper Park in Kerala, according to the Union Minister of State for Commerce, Mr Jairam Ramesh.

Announcing this here on Saturday, the Minister asked the Andhra Pradesh Government to allot about 250 acres for the Spices Park. "The board will sign an MoU with the State Government the moment it allocates land," said Mr Jairam Ramesh.

The Spices Park would provide value addition to turmeric, cardamom and chillies, which are widely grown in Andhra Pradesh. The Minister was addressing a gathering after laying the foundation stone for the Rs 3-crore Quality Control Laboratory for Chillies near Mangalagiri here. Referring to the Pepper Park, the board will sign an MoU with the Kerala Government on February 13.

Rangachari Panel

The Rangachari Panel, which submitted its report on Price Stabilisation, has recommended the launch of an insurance scheme for plantation growers. The scheme, which has a subsidy component, would be for five years. After that the farmers would move on to a different scheme that opens up opportunities in the futures market.

Farmers would be encouraged to form collective or self-help groups to participate in the futures market. The panel also suggested that banks could be permitted to finance these intermediaries. The first scheme would cost the Government Rs 700 crore, the Minister said.

Refuting allegations of discrimination of tobacco farmers in Andhra Pradesh, Mr Jairam Ramesh said the Tobacco Board has been asked to look at electronic options.

More Stories on : Spices & Condiments | Infrastructure

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
Mixed outlook for rainfall next week

Sheet rubber prices improve

Palm oil may test resistance level

Spice park to come up in Guntur, pepper park in Kerala