India’s spices production has surged 60 per cent to 10.7 million tonnes in 2020-21 from 6.76 mt in 2014-15, says Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar.
Aditya Raj Das / NEW DELHI
Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar has released a book titled ‘Spices Statistics at a Glance 2021’. The book is a compendium of all the spices statistics like area, production, productivity, export, import, price and value of output of various spices produced in the country.
The book has been published by the Directorate of Arecanut and Spices Development, the nodal agency for collection and compilation of area and production estimates of spices at the National level.
The book highlights the growth achieved in spices sector during the last seven years. Spices production in the Country has grown from over 67 lakh tonnes in 2014-15 to over 106 lakh tonnes in 2020-21 with an annual growth rate of 7.9 percent. Among the major spices, Cumin, Garlic, Ginger, Fennel, Coriander, fenugreek, Red chilli and Turmeric have shown significant growth rate in production. Spices export has grown from nearly 9 lakh tonnes to 16 lakh tonnes during this period logging an annual growth rate of 9.8 percent in terms of volume. In terms of value, the annual growth rate of spices export has been 10.5 percent during this period.
The book throws light on the achievements made in the spice sector during 2014-15 to 2020-21. During this period, the production of spices in the country increased from 67.64 lakh tonnes in the year 2014-15 to 106.79 lakh tonnes in the year 2020-21, with an annual growth rate of 7.9% and the increase in the production area from 32.24 lakh hectares to 45.28 lakh hectares. Due to having an area of lakh hectares. Major spices include cumin (14.8%), garlic (14.7%), ginger (7.5%), fennel (6.8%), coriander (6.2%), fenugreek (5.8%), red chilli (4.2%), turmeric (1.3%). ) has seen a significant increase in production.
Rapid increase in production has resulted in availability of quality spices for export. This is reflected in the growth of exports of spices, which stood at Rs.14900 crores during the above period. 29535 crores from 8.94 lakh tonnes in value. (US$ 3.98 billion) to 1.6 million tonnes, an annual increase of 9.8% in volume terms and 10.5% in value terms. Spices exports contribute to 41% of the total export earnings from all horticultural crops and rank fourth among agricultural commodities after only marine products, non-basmati rice and basmati rice.
The spectacular increase in the yield of spices in the country has been possible due to various development programs like MIDH, RKVY, PKVY, PMKSY etc. implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. The Directorate of Areca and Spices Development, through its Planting Material Production Program and Technology Dissemination Program, has played a vital role in propagation of high yielding varieties which have contributed significantly to the huge growth of quality spice production in the country. There has been a tremendous increase in the demand for spices especially due to the recognition of spices as health supplements during the corona pandemic period, which can be clearly seen in the increasing export of spices like turmeric, ginger, cumin, chilli etc.
The Union Minister Shri Tomar said that this publication would be useful for the policy makers and stakeholders of the Government such as scientists, researchers, farmers etc. to prepare such a strategic plan in the spice sector. In the program, Minister of State Shri Kailash Choudhary, Agriculture Secretary Shri Sanjay Agarwal, author of the book- Agriculture Commissioner Dr. S.K. Malhotra and other officials were present.