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Dimapur, Oct. 28 (EMN): In what may address the market linkage issue faced by spices producers in Nagaland, a pilot project on e-selling of large cardamom that will link farmer’s organisations with e-commerce giants like Amazon, Flipkart and others, has been launched.
The Spice Board India, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, organised an export-oriented seminar with focus on the spices of Nagaland besides the launch of e-selling pilot project at Niathu Resort, Chümoukedima, on Friday.
Speaking during the inaugural session at the seminar, Advisor of Horticulture Department and Border Affairs, Mhathung Yanthan said the biggest problem faced by the farmers in the state is lack of market infrastructure and market organisation which needs to be established.
He stated that poor quality, low productivity, lack of knowledge, socio-economic factor, and lack of awareness on pest and diseases are some of the challenges hindering the state from reaching the true potential of spice cultivation and produce.
He stressed that the farmers have low storing capacity and because of poor resource there are no cold storage facility at the farm level, or post harvest and processing facilities or organised market and market infrastructure, so the farmers are forces to sell the product raw or fresh at low prices.
The legislator said that to make spices cultivation sustainable and profitable, all the agencies dealing with spice development should come together and take certain measures likes identification of right varieties of different crops.
While asserting that more research centres for all kinds of crops need to be established in the Northeast region, he told the implementing agencies about the need for setting up low-cost processing facilities in the farms as well as in the clusters, post harvest.
Citing the increase in area and volume of spices production in Nagaland, he requested the Spice Board India to upgrade the office in Nagaland, adding that the state is not lacking behind as far as exporting of spices is concerned.
Yanthan opined that the launch of e-selling of large cardamom is a key initiative in integrating trade for developing the economy in NE India and enhancing spice development.
He expressed optimistic that the platform will bring the spice community together, allowing producers to connect with spice builders across the country, participate in selling and purchasing spice products, as well as attract huge number of exporters across the world.
The NLA further urged the exporters and traders to consistently support spice farmers in the state by procuring their organic and chemical-free produce.
BN Jha, Director (Marketing), Spices Board Kochi, shared that the Spice Board has initiated measures to bring market closer through electronic mode like the e-selling of large cardamom, and that it will link farmer’s organisations with e-trading platforms like Amazon, Flipkart and others. This will address issues of distance and market linkages, he added.
Jha updated that the Northeast produces about 753626 MT of various spices, which generated INR 715.536 lakh in 2021-2022, while Nagaland’s share was 42265 MT, which was to the tune of INR 14.907 lakh revenue, indicating that there is a vast scope for growth.
During 2021-2022, Nagaland produced 2061 MT garlic, 181 MT turmeric, 1748 MT king chilly, 35321 MT ginger (fresh) and large cardamom of 1079 MT, he updated.
Agricultural Production Commissioner and Secretary of Agriculture department, Y Kikheto Sema stated that the unique practice of jhum and shifting cultivation in the state is not adequately included in any curriculum or syllabus of textbooks. However, he thinks that this practice is neither economically viable nor ecologically sustainable.
Encouraging the farmers and entrepreneurs, he said the state and Centre governments are ready to assist those who are willing to work and produce.
He stated that the soil in Nagaland is considered to be one of the youngest in the world and untouched by the green revolution, which means whatever grows out of it is organic by itself. However, farmers are encountering issues in post harvest management, such as drying, grading, packaging and market linkages, he said, adding that it needs to be addressed in order to enable the farmers get better price realisation.
He further updated that the large cardamom production in the state covers an area of about 3873 hectares and produces about 2133 Metric Ton (MT); ginger covers 4724 hectares of land and produces about 35,000 MT; turmeric covers 649 hectares of land and produces 9191 MT; and Naga king chilly covers 606 hectares of land and produces 2490 MT.
Joint Director of Industries and Commerce department, Tokugha Achumi; and D Sathiyan, Secretary of Spices Board, Kochi, also spoke at the event.