To boost spices production, the Spices Board has launched a raft of measures to support farmers by offering various subsidies and sensitise them on the need to enhance the quality of spices through post-harvest improvement techniques.

The board has also decided to provide financial assistance to farmers for irrigation, land development, mechanisation, replanting, soil conservation and organic farming of various spices, mainly small cardamom. It will also give financial aid to them for purchasing latest irrigation and farming equipment and tools.

The board Chairman, A Jayathilak, said in a statement that the initiatives are part of the Spices Board’s 12th plan to improve export-oriented production of small cardamom and for post-harvest improvement of other spices across spice-growing regions in India. The eligibility criteria for availing the benefits are based on the land held by the grower and is different for each programme.

Under the new schemes, cultivators of small cardamom in Kerala and Tamil Nadu will receive up to ₹70,000 for replanting, while farmers in Karnataka will get up to ₹50,000. They will also receive aid for planting material production.

To help small cardamom farmers in the three southern states in irrigation and land development, the board will provide financial assistance up to 25 per cent of the actual cost for acquiring irrigation pump sets, sprinkler sets, equipment for gravity-fed irrigation system, and up to 50 per cent for water storage structure. Farmers will also get funding up to 25 per cent for soil conservation.

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