Govt Launches SPICED Scheme to Boost Spice Exports and Cardamom Productivity

The Spices Board has launched a comprehensive scheme for enhancing the export of spices and value-added spice products as well as improving the productivity of cardamom. Spices Board has rolled out various programmes under the scheme - Sustainability in Spice Sector through Progressive, Innovative and Collaborative Interventions for Export Development' (SPICED). The scheme will be implemented during the remaining period of the 15th Finance Commission cycle, till FY 2025-26, with a total approved outlay of Rs 422.30 crore. This scheme aims to upgrade the post-harvest quality of spices across India for export.

The SPICED scheme is expected to facilitate value addition and to drive innovation and sustainability in the spice sector by introducing new sub-components/programmes like Mission Value Addition, Mission Clean and Safe Spices, promotion of GI spices, support for entrepreneurship through spice incubation centres, etc, the Board said in a press release.

The scheme puts a thrust on farmers groups/FPOs/farmers clusters identified under ODOP DEH (One District One Product - Districts as Export Hubs Initiative), SC/ST community, exporters from NE region, and small and medium enterprises.

The programmes for improving the productivity of cardamom and post-harvest quality upgradation of spices are specifically designed to empower farmer groups, including Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs), and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in key spice-growing regions.

The scheme is designed to expand area and improve productivity of Cardamom (small & large), generate an exportable surplus of quality spices through post-harvest improvement, export promotion of spices, increasing the share of value-added spices in the export basket, evaluating compliance of export consignments with applicable standards of quality and safety, capacity building & skill development of stakeholders etc.

Moreover, the scheme puts a thrust on farmers groups/FPOs/farmers clusters identified under ODOP DEH (One District One Product - Districts as Export Hubs Initiative), SC/ST community, exporters from NE region, and small and medium enterprises.