In the changing world, the spices industry needs more targeted efforts focussed on value-addition and employment generation, Arancha Gonzalvez, Executive Director, International Trade Center, Geneva, said.

“Value-addition is central to rural livelihood. Special efforts are required to make farming more attractive to the younger generation to enable their entry and stay in the spices sector and growth of innovative farming ideas,” she said while inaugurating the third edition of International Spice Conference at Jaipur.

Trilochan Mohapatra, Director-General, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, stressed the need for a special focus on small and marginal farmers who constitute 85 per cent of the total farmer’s population. Better planting materials and focus on Good Agricultural Practices are equally important.

The conference is hosted by the All India Spices Exporters Forum in association with the Cochin Chamber of Commerce and Industry. AISEF members account for about 80 per cent of shipments from India.

Prakash Namboodiri, Chairman, AISEF, pointed out that addressing the concerns and imbalances of the industry by the stakeholders is imperative when food safety standards are constantly changing and the industrial environment is evolving. This apart, ensuring the sustainability of the crops and improving the livelihood of farmers also becomes a collective responsibility.

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