Focus on corporate role in value addition

Monday November 26 2007 09:39
IST EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

BHUBANESWAR: Agriculture experts have sought greater corporate participation for value addition to major spices varieties and aromatic items for benefit of both the farmers as well as consumers.

‘‘Orissa may be home to a number of varieties of both these crops but is unable to capitalise on them properly due to lack of value addition and market linkages.

The shortcomings can be addressed through the PPP mode, involving more companies in the process,’’ said OUAT Vice-Chancellor Prof. D P Ray. Such an initiative will not only reduce the bother of storing perishable items but give farmers good returns.

He singled out Kandhamal Apex Spices Association for Marketing in Phulbani for popularising organic turmeric by marketing it as ‘Kandhamal turmeric.’

Addressing a national symposium on spices and aromatic crops, organised by Indian Society for Spices, Calicut, and the varsity here on Sunday, he emphasised post-harvest management and seed multiplication of the crops.

Besides, he advocated organic farming of both the crops in low chemical fertilizer consuming tribal districts of the State. Orissa, one of the major spices producing States in India, ranks next to Andhra Pradesh only in turmeric production.

Besides, ginger, coriander, fennel and black pepper, the climate also supports cultivation of cardamom, cinnamon, vanilla, clove, nutmeg, ajwain in Koraput and Kandhamal districts.

At present, the State produces 2.17 lakh tonne of spices from about 2.37 lakh hectare of land. India, which earned Rs 3,576 crore by exporting 3.74 lakh tonne of spices during the last fiscal, plans to raise the earnings substantially in the coming years.

Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology has already released spices varieties like Roma, Surama, Ranga and Rashmi in turmeric, Amba in Mango Ginger, Suprava, Suruchi and Surabhi in Ginger etc.

Inaugurating the seminar, Governor M C Bhandare said, scientists should focus on development of varieties with high yield potential and quality to meet growing demands.

The market for organic spices has seen tremendous growth over the years as more and more people are becoming conscious of their health. Lauding the achievements of the High Altitude

Research Station on Spices at Pattangi in Koraput district for developing several varieties of the crop, he expressed his desire to visit the place soon.

Deputy director-general (horticulture) of Indian Council of Agriculture Research Dr H P Singh stressed bringing down cost of production in cultivation of spices without compromising on quality.

President of the Indian Society of Spices Dr V A Parthasarathy, dean of research, OUAT, Dr Dibakar Naik and others spoke.

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