The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Form society for exporting organic spices, cultivators told

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Sep 20, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Form society for exporting organic spices, cultivators told

By Our Staff Reporter

BODINAICKNUR, SEPT. 19. Organic cardamom producers should form a society and export organic spices under their own brand names. This system will facilitate better returns and recognition as the market for organic products has been increasing every year. Popularising organic farming will also promote afforestation.

These were highlighted at a seminar organised by the Spices Board and All-India Radio, Tuticorin, here recently.

The Deputy Director of the Spices Board, R. Chandrasekaran, reading out a message from the Spices Board Director of Marketing, S. Kannan, said it was essential to set up an exclusive office in Amsterdsam to promote and maintain supply of organic spices for the European Union.

The Government of India would meet the cost of establishing the office and maintaining it for the first two years. He suggested that packets of organic spices be prepared for being offered as gifts in India and abroad.

The Spices Board member, R. Kumaresan, said the global demand for organic products was on the increase.

He called up on farmers to cultivate organic spices to earn more profit and protect soil and environment from deterioration.

Spices cultivators said that if the Government provided a subsidy for the first three or four years for organic cultivation and a special marketing facility, farmers would be motivated.

Cardamom cultivators shared their experience of how they could become self-reliant without depending upon external inputs including finance.

They detailed raising of pepper, turmeric, chillies and coriander adopting organic farming techniques. Scientists and technologists spoke on cultivation of organic vanilla, coconut, paddy, pulses and vegetables.

About 250 farmers from the southern districts of Tamil Nadu and Idukki in Kerala took part.

Organic products and bioproducts were displayed at an exhibition organised by the board.

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