Spices Board of India and SPICED Scheme

23.05.2025

Spices Board of India and SPICED Scheme

Context

India is a global leader in spice production and export. To strengthen its position, the Spices Board of India and the newly launched SPICED Scheme aim to enhance sustainability, innovation, and export competitiveness, especially in high-value spices like cardamom.

Spices Board of India: Basic Understanding

• Statutory Body under the Spices Board Act, 1986.
  Established: 26 February 1987.
• Formed by merging:
  • Cardamom Board (1968)
  • Spices Export Promotion Council (1960)
• Headquarters: Kochi, Kerala.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• Mandate:
  • Develop, regulate, and promote spice exports.
  • Research, quality control, and market development.
• Coverage: 52 spices are officially listed in the Spices Board Act for focused development.
   

SPICED Scheme: Basic Understanding

• Full Form: Sustainability in Spice Sector Through Progressive Innovative and Collaborative Interventions for Export Development.
• Objective:
  • Introduce innovations and collaborative models in spice value chains.
  • Improve sustainability, quality, productivity, and export potential.

Focus on Cardamom under SPICED

• Reason for Focus: High export value, vulnerable to disease, climate-sensitive.
• Varieties:
  • Small Cardamom (Green): Used in sweets/desserts; known as "true cardamom".
  • Large Cardamom (Black): Used in savory dishes; also called "Nepal cardamom".

Indian Production

• Small Cardamom:
  • Leading states: Kerala (70% share), Karnataka, Tamil Nadu.
• Large Cardamom:
  • Cultivated in Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland.

Global Comparison

• Top Producer: Guatemala (50–60% of global output).
• Other Producers: Sri Lanka, India.

Export Overview

• India is a major cardamom exporter.
• Top Destinations: UAE, Saudi Arabia, EU, USA, Japan.
• Revenue: ₹500–₹600 crore annually from a small export volume.

Key Challenges

• Diseases: e.g., Cardamom Mosaic Virus affecting yield.
• Infrastructure Deficits: In drying, processing, storage.
• Climate Sensitivity: Affects production cycles and quality.

SPICED Scheme – Targeted Solutions

Way Forward

• Sustainable Farming: Encourage organic and climate-resilient cultivation
• Export Ecosystem: Expand GI tagging, traceability, branding initiatives.
• Technology Focus: Support startups in spice processing and traceability tech.
• Inclusive Growth: Integrate small spice farmers into global value chains via FPOs and cooperatives.

Conclusion

The Spices Board of India and the SPICED Scheme are crucial to securing India’s leadership in the global spice trade. With an emphasis on innovation, infrastructure, and inclusivity, the sector can serve both as an economic engine and a source of livelihood security for millions of spice farmers across India.