The Spices Board of India, under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has unveiled the SPICED scheme (Sustainability in Spice Sector through Progressive, Innovative and Collaborative Interventions for Export Development).
About SPICED Scheme
- Aim: To boost spice exports and improve cardamom productivity.
- Budget: Rs. 422.30 crore for implementation till FY 2025-26.
- Online Applications: Open since September 20, 2024 for exporters with CRES.
- Geo-tagging and Transparency: Scheme to be geo-tagged, information on fund availability and application status accessible on Spices Board website.
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Spices Board of India
- Statutory Body: Constituted under Spices Board Act, 1986.
- Administrative Control: Under Department of Commerce.
- Responsibilities: Overall development of cardamom industry and export promotion of 52 spices.
- Primary Functions: Development of cardamom, promotion, development, regulation of spice export, quality control for export.
- Research Activities: Undertakes research on cardamom through Indian Cardamom Research Institute
CRES
- Certificate of Registration as Exporter of Spices (CRES)
- It is a certificate issued by the Spices Board of India that authenticates that an exporter of spices is registered with the government-authorised regulatory agency
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Key Objectives and Components of the SPICED Scheme
- Mission Value Addition and Innovation: to promote the production of value-added spice products.
- Mission Clean and Safe Spices: focuses on ensuring post-harvest improvements and maintaining high food safety standards.
- Promotion of GI (Geographical Indication) spices: to strengthen India’s global brand recognition.
- Empowering Farmer Groups and FPOs: Special emphasis on Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), farmer clusters under ODOP (One District One Product), and DEH (District Export Hub) programs.
- Prioritizing Assistance: for SC/ST communities, exporters from the North-East region, and SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises).
- Support for Cardamom Farmers : through replanting efforts, micro-irrigation adoption, quality planting material, and weather-based insurance programs.
- Post-Harvest Quality and Sustainability: to ensure that they meet export standards.
- Programs like Mission Clean and Safe Spices: designed to encourage sustainable practices, certification systems, and technical advisory services.
- Support for Technological Advancements: for spice processing and value addition.
- Establishing or upgrading in-house laboratories, product development, and branding to enhance global competitiveness.
- Market Development and Trade Promotion: Support for participation in international fairs, buyer-seller meets, and the promotion of GI-tagged spices.
- Establishment of Spice Incubation Centers: to foster innovation and entrepreneurship, providing a platform for startups and SMEs.
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September 26, 2024
