Boost value addition in spices to achieve $10-bn export target by 2030 : WSO
(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 11)
| Topic: GS3 – Indian Economy |
| Context |
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Spice Export and Value Addition
- India exports 1.5 million tonnes of spices worth $4.5 billion, covering 25% of the $20 billion global spice market.
- Only 48% of Indian spice exports are value-added products, while the rest are whole spices.
- To meet the $10 billion export target by 2030, value-added spice exports should increase to 70%.
Exploring New Opportunities
- India must expand into the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical sectors, as spices are already used in Ayurveda and other medicinal fields.
- Other major spice-producing countries include Vietnam, Indonesia, Brazil, and China, with Africa emerging as a new player.
Increasing Domestic Production
- Apart from traditional spice-growing states, Odisha, Jharkhand, and the Northeast are becoming key spice producers.
- India’s 15 agro-climatic zones support the cultivation of various spices across different states.
Improving Production and Quality
- Increasing production, reducing costs, and improving quality are essential to boost exports.
- Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) are being trained in pesticide management, water conservation, and hygiene.
- Research organisations are developing high-yielding and climate-resistant spice varieties to enhance productivity.
| Practice Question: How can India enhance its share in the global spice and seasoning market? Suggest strategies to improve value addition, exports, and competitiveness. (150 Words /10 marks) |
