CURRENT AFFAIRS
CURRENT AFFAIRS
Description
The Spices Board of India, operating under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has introduced a comprehensive initiative titled SPICED (Sustainability in the Spice Sector through Progressive, Innovative, and Collaborative Interventions for Export Development) for the fiscal year 2025–26. This scheme is designed to reinforce sustainable practices, promote technological innovation, and strengthen the export potential of Indian spices, which are globally renowned for their diversity and quality.
Key Objectives Of SPICED Scheme
The SPICED initiative seeks to transform the Indian spice industry by:
Enhancing productivity in spice cultivation, with a focus on small and large cardamom.
Upgrading post-harvest infrastructure and processes to improve quality and efficiency.
Promoting organic spice farming and production of Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged and value-added spice products.
Facilitating adherence to international food safety and phytosanitary standards.
Building technical, entrepreneurial, and export-oriented capacity among stakeholders.
Major Features And Support Areas
The scheme provides financial assistance and technical support across various components, addressing both cultivation and post-harvest phases:
Agricultural Productivity Enhancement
Support for replanting and rejuvenation of cardamom plantations.
Assistance in creating water resources and adopting micro-irrigation systems to enhance water-use efficiency.
Promotion of organic farming methods and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP).
Post-Harvest Infrastructure Development
Grants for modernizing spice processing units with advanced equipment like dryers, slicers, dehullers, grading machines, and polishers.
Help for farmers and FPOs to procure essential post-harvest tools, including turmeric boilers, mint oil distillation units, and threshing machines, ensuring consistent product quality and hygiene.
Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Establishment of Spice Incubation Centres to support startups and MSMEs in product development and branding.
Promotion of new business models focused on value addition, packaging innovation, and market diversification.
Capacity Building and Technical Training
Conduct of training programs, field demonstrations, and extension services for farmers, SHGs (Self-Help Groups), and FPOs.
Dissemination of market intelligence and best practices to enhance decision-making at the grassroots level.
Export Promotion Activities
Financial aid to exporters for participating in international trade exhibitions, buyer-seller meets, and global marketing initiatives.
Support for branding and global promotion of Indian spices with a focus on first-time exporters, SMEs, and emerging entrepreneurs.
Transparency And Monitoring
All scheme activities will be geo-tagged to ensure real-time monitoring and effective implementation.
Detailed data including fund allocations, application status, beneficiary lists, and project progress will be made publicly available on the Spices Board's official website, promoting accountability and transparency.
Eligibility
The scheme is open to various stakeholders in the spice sector, including individual farmers, FPOs, SHGs, exporters, and MSMEs. Exporters must possess a valid Certificate of Registration as Exporter of Spices (CRES) to qualify. Priority will be given to first-time applicants and smaller enterprises, encouraging inclusive participation.
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