Lok Sabha Question No. 1842 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-03
Subject: Reduction in Spice Exports
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Dean Kuriakose

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATION AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1842

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 3 RD  MARCH, 2020

## REDUCTION IN SPICE EXPORTS

1842. ADV. DEAN KURIAKOSE:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that the export of spices has greatly reduced in the past few years, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  cardamom  faces  an  export  ban  by  the  Gulf countries due to high concentration of pesticide;
- (c) if so, the steps taken by the Government to control the use of pesticide; and
- (d) the steps taken by the Government to facilitate the smooth export of spices to Gulf and other countries?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

- (a):     The export of spices from India is steadily growing during the last decade. The year wise details of export of spices from India during the last 10 years is annexed .
- (b):        There  is  no  ban  on  import  of  Indian  Cardamom  into  Gulf  countries.  However,  Saudi Arabia Food & Drug Authority (SAFDA) has detained a few import consignments of cardamom (Small) from India due to pesticide residue  above the Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) during April-May 2018.
- (c): In  order  to  address  the  pesticide  residue  in  cardamom,  Integrated  Pest  Management (IPM) campaigns and Spice Clinic Programmes have been conducted by the Spices Board to create awareness among the growers and promoting the adoption of IPM, use of bio-inputs for pest & disease management, etc. in the major cardamom growing villages  in Idukki District of Kerala.  Meetings and campaigns are conducted to motivate the cardamom growers to adopt Integrated  Pest  Management  in  Cardamom.  The  cardamom  growers  are  educated  on  the judicious application of pesticides and to promote  use of bio-control agents in managing pests and diseases of cardamom. Besides, the Spice Board has prepared a Plant Protection Code for sustainable  production  of  Cardamom  promoting  the  use  of  need  based  judicious  pesticide application  and  use  of  bio-pesticides  &  bio-control  agents  to  reduce  the  dependence  on chemical inputs.

(d):   To facilitate the smooth export of spices to Gulf and other countries, the issue of pesticide residue above the Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) in export of cardamom (Small)  from India to  Saudi  Arabia  has  been  taken  up  with  SAFDA.  They  have  been  requested  to  provide  a cooling off period and consider allowing the export of Indian Small Cardamom by relaxing the MRLs  of  pesticides  for  cardamom  for  two  crop  seasons  (till  September  2022),  in  line  with Codex standards considering the fact that the Codex MRLs are universally accepted and are considered as reference standards by WTO in international trade. It is informed by SAFDA that the standards are being revised.

Besides,  Spices  Board  has  conducted  Buyer  Seller  Meet (BSM)  at  Kattappana  in  Idukki District  of  Kerala  by  inviting  cardamom  exporters  and  cardamom  farmers/  farmers  groups  in Kerala,  Karnataka  and  Tamil  Nadu  who  follow  Integrated  Pest  Management  as  well  as  less application  of  pesticides.  The  BSM  has  helped  to  incentivize  the  farmers  who  adopt  IPM practices, by facilitating direct market linkage .

| EXPORT OF SPICES FROM INDIA   | EXPORT OF SPICES FROM INDIA   | EXPORT OF SPICES FROM INDIA   |
|-------------------------------|-------------------------------|-------------------------------|
| Year                          | Quantity (Tons)               | Value (Rs.Crores)             |
| 2009-10                       | 502,750                       | 5560.50                       |
| 2010-11                       | 525,750                       | 6840.71                       |
| 2011-12                       | 575,270                       | 9783.42                       |
| 2012-13                       | 726,613                       | 12112.76                      |
| 2013-14                       | 817,250                       | 13735.39                      |
| 2014-15                       | 893,920                       | 14899.68                      |
| 2015-16                       | 843,255                       | 16238.23                      |
| 2016-17                       | 947,790                       | 17664.61                      |
| 2017-18                       | 1,028,060                     | 17980.16                      |
| 2018-19                       | 11,00,250                     | 19505.81                      |

Source: Department of Commerce

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Annexure