Date:18/08/2004 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2004/08/18/stories/2004081800731200.htm

Back Spices Board plans large cardamom processing units

G.K. Nair

20 units at a total outlay of Rs 10 lakh will come up in the north-eastern States.

Kochi , Aug. 17

THE Spices Board is to implement a scheme for setting up large cardamom processing and packing units in the north-eastern States and Sikkim.

The scheme aims to promote marketability of large cardamom through scientific processing, powdering, de-capsuling and packaging, and thereby moving up the value chain, Mr S. Kannan, Director (Marketing) of the Board, told Business Line.

He said the scheme had to be implemented during the current Plan period, which will end in 2006-07. With a total outlay of Rs 10 lakh, it targets 20 units spread over these States, he said.

The assistance proposed would be 50 per cent of the total cost of the project subject to a maximum of Rs 50,000 per unit.

All farmers, including NGOs/societies formed by farmers, would be eligible for assistance under the scheme. The grant to the eligible party would be reimbursed after successful establishment and trial run of the unit inspected jointly by a representative of the local industry department and a Board official, Mr Kannan said.

The total area under large cardamom in the country is estimated at 25,000 hectares; Sikkim tops with about 20,000 ha under the crop.

West Bengal has about 2,500 ha and the rest of the area is spread over the North-Eastern States. Current production is estimated at 6,500 tonnes.

The price the farmers get for their commodity is quite low.

As such, the Board feels that value addition at the farmers' level could fetch them better prices, Mr Kannan said.