Kerala - Kochi   

e-auction centre for cardamom

KOCHI: Union Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh launched the first e-auction (electronic auction) centre for cardamom in Kerala at Vandanmedu on Saturday.

Addressing a press conference here, the Minister said that all the five auction centres for cardamom in the State have become part of a common electronic auction centre at Vandanmedu.

The Spices Board would introduce e-auctions in other auction centres, which include Kumili, Thekkady, Pulianmala and Nedunkandam.

Pointing out that the e-auction centre set up at Bodinayakanur in Tamil Nadu was a ‘great success’ for farmers, Mr. Ramesh said that the price realised by cardamom farmers in Tamil Nadu was Rs.297 a kg before the introduction of e-auction.

It went up to Rs.421 a kg after e-auction was introduced, he said.

The Minister said that the volatility of the process has been reduced after the facility was launched in Bodinayakanur.

Prices have been set in a transparent manner. The board has set up 60 computer terminals at Vandanmedu for e-auction of cardamom.

Tata Consultancy Services has developed the software for the project.

The board had proposed the introduction of e-auction in cardamom to revamp the extant manual operations at par with modern technologies. Proper and flawless documentation is done in e-auctions facilitating speedy billing/invoicing, thereby eliminating the chances for hidden costs.

As the identity of the bidder is not revealed during the process of auction, the chances of speculation is scuppered.

The moisture and bulk density of every lot offered for sale would be displayed on the main screen at the auction centre, which would help bidders to assess the quality.

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