Lok Sabha Question No. 4847 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-01
Subject: SPICED Scheme
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Shri Mani A

## 4847.  SHRI MANI A:

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

(a) the details of assistance provided to farmers in Tamil Nadu especially Dharmapuri constitutency under the Sustainability in Spice Sector through Progressive, Innovative and Collaborative Interventions for Export Development (SPICED) scheme;

(b) the  number  of  spice  farmers  and  Farmer  Producer  Organizations  (FPOs)  in  Tamil  Nadu  that have benefited from the scheme so far;

(c) the specific interventions undertaken to enhance the quality, productivity and export potential of spices in the State; and

(d) whether any financial, technical, or infrastructure support has been extended to spice farmers in Tamil Nadu and if so, the details thereof?

## 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)

(a) to (d) Under the scheme 'Sustainability in Spice Sector through Progressive, Innovative and Collaborative  Interventions  for  Export  Development  (SPICED)',  Spices  Board  undertakes  various programs and activities for development of small and large cardamom  sector, post-harvest improvement and export promotion of spices across the country, including in Tamil Nadu. Under this scheme,  in  the  year  2024-25,  Spices  Board  has  provided  assistance  to  939  farmers  in  Tamil  Nadu which  include  members  of  4  FPOs.  In  Dharmapuri,  Spices  Board  has  provided  assistance  to  201 farmers  which  include  members  of  1  FPO.  The  total  expenditure  incurred  by  Spices  Board  for  the above programs and activities in Tamil Nadu in 2024-25 was Rs. 1.16 Cr.

Government of India implements the Centrally Sponsored Scheme 'Mission for Integrated Development  of  Horticulture  (MIDH)'  to  improve  the  production  and  productivity  of  horticulture crops including spices. The key components of this scheme are area expansion (establishment of new garden),  production  and  distribution  of  quality  planting  materials,  integrated  pest  and  disease management  /  integrated  nutrient  management,  organic  farming,  mechanization,  integrated  postharvest management, human resource development etc. These programmes are mainly implemented in various states through the respective State Horticulture Missions.

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4847 ANSWERED ON 01/04/2025

## SPICED SCHEME

Apart  from  the  above  programmes,  the  Directorate  of  Arecanut  and  Spices  Development  (DASD) directly  implements  the  following  development  programmes  for  spices,  in  Tamil  Nadu  through  the Tamil Nadu Agriculture University, Coimbatore for the benefit of farmers.

-  · Quality planting material production of spices
-  · Establishment of seed storage and processing infrastructure
-  · Establishment of nursery structures
-  · Promotion of GI variety of Mundu chilli
-  · Establishment of Front Line Demonstration of spices
-  · Establishment of Front Line Demonstration for organic farming in Ginger
-  · Seminars / Workshops/ Farmers Training.

The Directorate has implemented the MIDH programmes with a financial outlay of Rs.96.875 lakhs in Tamil Nadu during 2024-25.

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