Boost for N-E spice traders

In Focus- ROOPAK GOSWAMI

Spices Board India has initiated a process for identifying the local cardamom traders of Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland to bring them under the Cardamom (Licensing and Marketing) Rules, 1987 to give a fillip to the cardamom business in the region.

Senior officials of the ministry of commerce were informed about this at a consultation workshop for the forthcoming twelfth plan in Guwahati recently.

Cardamom, called the queen of spices, and is one of the most exotic and high-priced spices in the world. It is often named as the third most expensive spice in the world (after saffron and vanilla), and the high price reflects the high reputation of this pleasant smelling spice.

According to the Cardamom (Licensing and Marketing) Rules, 1987 all the producers of cardamom should sell their produce through a licensed auctioneer or dealer.

Speaking at the consultation, director (research) of the Spices Board, Kochi, J. Thomas said state governments should identify suitable farmers, NGOs, government agencies or individual entrepreneurs linked with farmers for starting large cardamom auctions in Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland.

“The authorities should motivate leading traders and exporters from upcountry markets to participate in the auctions,” he said, adding that the agro climatic condition in the two states was suitable for cultivation of cardamom.

Figures made available by Spices Board revealed that in 2009-10, the contribution of the Northeast to the quantity of cardamom exported from India was 1,000 metric tonnes and in 2010, it was 775 metric tonnes. The value of export was Rs 1,789 lakh and Rs 4,463 lakh respectively.

In Sikkim, licensed dealers in assembly markets buy large cardamoms from growers directly. Farmers from Sikkim had received a good prices varying from Rs 845 to Rs 851 per kg, whereas the present prevailing market prices range between Rs 600 to Rs 700 per kg.

Traders from Arunachal Pradesh can also participate in the auctions in Sikkim, as large cardamom auction has been introduced and conducted in Sikkim from November 2010 to safeguard the interests of the growers.

The budgetary allocations for the spices sector of the region are also on the rise. While it was Rs 620 lakh in 2009-10 and Rs 850 lakh in 2010-11, the allocation for 2011-12 is Rs 1,000 lakh.

The Spices Board, which manages the spices sector in the country, is also supporting the cardamom growers by providing financial assistance for meeting plantation, maintenance, organic inputs purchase, organic certification and other expenditures.