The Hindu Business Line : N-E spices body seeks separate marketing arm

THE north-eastern States, which are geographically and climatically suitable for growing spices, are slowly emerging as a significant contributor to the spices production in the country.

These States that were hitherto growing mainly ginger and turmeric are now cultivating pepper and vanilla, thanks to the promotional activities of the Spices Board. However, poor marketing and post-harvest processing facilities have become major constraints for the growth.

Given this situation, the North-East Horticulture and Agriculture Development Association suggested setting up of a North-East Marketing Organisation for better marketing, which could procure material from small farmers and supply spices in bulk to exporters and the domestic market, association sources told Business Line.

It had also requested the Centre to include spices and spice products in the list of items qualifying for transport subsidy. They said the spices were harvested during winter and hence, proper warehousing and cold storage facilities were required for storing the produce.

Besides, in order to encourage processing and value-addition, manufacturing units should have to be established for better price realisation by the farmers and create local employment opportunities.

For setting up spice processing unit, the Spices Board is providing financial assistance. However, before releasing the eligible grant, the board insists on production of a bank guarantee equal to the grant amount. They have urged the board to accept "legal undertaking" instead of the bank guarantee.

They also suggested that the Centre should fix support price for ginger, turmeric and pepper besides setting up a central agency for procurement and distribution of spices.

North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation Ltd has recently set up a unit for distillation, powdering and waxing for ginger and other prices in the Export Promotion Industrial Park at Byrnihat in Meghalaya. The growers could make use of this facility for processing their spices.

Meanwhile, they said, the growers so as to avail the full support of the Spices Board demanded setting up of its field offices in all the districts of Meghalaya.

The farmers urged the board to organise more awareness programmes besides facilitating transportation of produce from farms to markets.

Non-availability of planting materials is pointed out as a major impediment and hence the growers requested the board to make available seeds/planting materials of ginger, turmeric, pepper and vanilla in the region at subsidised rates.

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