New Delhi: The Queen of Spices, small cardamom, is known the world over because of its pleasant aroma and taste. Kerala is the largest producer of small cardamom in the country, with Tamil Nadu and Karnataka being other producers. The export of small cardamom showed an upward trend during the first half of 2020-21, with a volume of 1900 MT valued at Rs 56.52 crores, registering an increase of 483 per cent in value terms and 369 per cent in quantitative terms.
The small cardamom sector does face challenges, both at the production and export fronts, due to natural calamities and other factors. Though the collective efforts of stakeholders have helped the Indian small cardamom sector to manage the challenges to a certain extent, further synergistic interventions across the supply chain have been initiated by the Spices Board for sustainable growth of the sector.
The Board conducted a virtual Buyer Seller Meet(BSM) today to address the concerns of the small cardamom industry and to provide a common platform for the stakeholders to interact directly and establish effective business linkages. The BSM saw participation of more than 130 stakeholders. The BSM would help in sourcing quality cardamom for export to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries.
Inaugurating the BSM, Adv Dean Kuriakose, Member of Parliament, Idukki, said that small cardamom is intertwined with the social fabric of the growers of Idukki and production and export of good quality cardamom will help to take this product worldwide. He lauded the efforts of the Board and commended the conducting of the BSM at this apt time in the wake of the sector facing challenges.
Shri Suresh Kumar PM and Dr Remashree AB, Directors, Spices Board stressed on sustainability and adherence to quality standards as key pointers for small cardamom export.
Spices Board has been supporting the small cardamom stakeholders throughoutthe various stages of the supply chain. It has various programs/activities for assistance for areaexpansion, nursery management and post harvest improvement, promoting good agricultural practices,integrated pest management (IPM) and use of bio-control agents, creating awareness through campaigns,trainings and other programs, promoting collaborative movements amongst growers through Spice Producer Societies (SPS), R&D support and so on.
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