Lok Sabha Question No. 1276 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-30
Subject: Re-establishment of Cardamom Board
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Adv Dean Kuriakose

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1276 ANSWERED ON 30/07/2024

## RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF CARDAMOM BOARD

## 1276.  ADV DEAN KURIAKOSE:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY ( वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मं त्री ) be pleased to state:

(a) whether  the  Government  will  re-establish  the  Cardamom  board,  which  was  working towards improving the lives of Cardamom farmers;

(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(c) whether the Government has the estimates of the large scale losses accrued to cardamom farmers due to drought during the last year and if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the Government  has  received any request for assistance  from the State Government of Kerala to assist cardamom farmers affected by drought;

(e) if so, the details thereof including the action taken by the Government in this regard;

(f) whether the Government has any proposal to create a new package for helping cardamom farmers from Idukki who are affected by drought; and

(g) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## वाणिज्य और उद्योग मंत्रालय में राज्य मंत्री (श्री णिणिन प्रसाद)

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI JITIN PRASADA)

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(a) & (b) Spices Board was constituted under the Spices Board Act, 1986, by merging the erstwhile Cardamom Board & Spices Export Promotion Council. The mandate for Spices Board includes research, production, development, domestic marketing, consumption  and  export promotion  of  Cardamom  (Small  &  Large)  along  with  export  promotion  of  51  other  spices. Presently, no such proposal is under consideration.

Spices Board is carrying out various activities to improve the lives of cardamom farmers that include extending financial  assistance for improved methods of cultivation and processing of cardamom, for replanting cardamom and for extension of cardamom growing areas; promote cooperative  effort  among  growers  of  cardamom;  provide training in  cardamom testing and fixing grade standards of cardamom.

Also,  the  initiatives  taken  by  Spices  Board  since  its  inception  in  1987  has  helped  to increase the Production of Small Cardamom from 3200 MT in 1987-88 to 25231 MT in 2023-24; increase in Productivity of Small Cardamom from 46 kg/ha in 1987-88 to 521.33 kg/ha in 2023-

24; increase in quantity of Small Cardamom exports from 270 MT in 1987-88 to 6,168 MT in 2023-24  and  increase  the  value  of  Small  Cardamom  export  from  Rs  3.4  Cr  in  1987-88  to  Rs 999.59 Cr during 2023-24. In case of Large cardamom,  production has increased from 2250 MT in 1987 to 9288 MT in 2023-24; productivity increased from 96 kg/ha in 1987 to 288.54 kg/ha in 2023-24;  quantity  of  exports  increased  from  155  MT  in  1987-88  to  1281  MT  in  2023-24  and value of large Cardamom export increased from Rs  0.70 Cr in 1987-88 to Rs 148.15 Cr during 2023-24.  The  increased  productivity  and  production  has  also  helped  in  improving  the  lives  of cardamom farmers

(c) to (g) Spices Board has assessed the extent of damage caused by the recent dry spell that occurred  in  Idukki  district.  It  has  been  observed  that  plantations  with  proper  shade  regulation, canopy size and irrigation facilities have survived with minimal damage.

Spices Board has received a request from Government of Kerala for providing replanting assistance  to  cardamom farmers  affected by drought. Spices Board is implementing the scheme 'Sustainability in Spice Sector through Progressive, Innovative and Collaborative Interventions for Export  Development  (SPICED)'  and  assistance  for  replantation,  as  provided  by  Spices  Board under the said scheme, is also being extended to those affected by the dry spell. Spices Board is implementing a Weather Based  Insurance Scheme for small cardamom growers to mitigate the losses of cardamom growers due to vagaries of weather, under which those affected growers who have subscribed to the scheme will also avail the benefits under the scheme.

Presently, no proposal for a new package for Idukki cardamom farmers is under consideration.

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