Farmers’ Training Programme on “Production and Propagation Techniques of Important Spice Crops”
Farmers’ Training Programme on “Production and Propagation Techniques of Important Spice Crops”
A Farmers’ Training Programme, “Production and Propagation Techniques of Important Spice Crops”, sponsored by Directorate of Arecanut and Spices Development (DASD), Kozhikode, Kerala under Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) was organized by ICAR-CCARI, Goa during 25th and 26th March 2022.
Dr. Parveen Kumar, Director, ICAR – CCARI, Goa, in his inaugural remarks stressed on the importance of spices, their role in fetching higher/additional income and urged the farmers to utilize the processing facilities created at the institute.
Thirty five farmers participated in the training programme which had both technical and practical sessions on various aspects of organic and inorganic cultivation of turmeric, ginger, nutmeg, black pepper and cinnamon. Dr. A R Desai, Principal Scientist, (Hort.) appraised the farmers about different elite varieties of important spice crops viz., turmeric, ginger, black pepper, nutmeg, cinnamon and cardmom. Dr. Manoj D Mali (Officer In-charge, Turmeric Research Station, (MPKV, Rahuri), K. Digraj, Sangali, Maharashtra guided the participants on improved production and processing practices including land preparation, seed rhizome treatment, mechanical planting & harvesting, irrigation & nutrient management, mulching practices for turmeric & ginger. The disease and pest management practices of spice crops were discussed by Shri. H R C Prabhu, Programme Co-ordinator, KVK, North Goa. The marketing prospects for important spices were aptly highlighted by Dr B A Vadiraj (Station In-charge, ICRI, Spices Board of India (GOI), Sakaleshpur, Karnataka) with respect to major spice crops having export potential. Further, he also enlighten the trainees about the quality standards of spices and analytical facilities available in laboratories of Spice Board of India for quality analysis of spices & spice products for export market and clearance certificate. Various schemes of Spice Board of India for financing the spice farmers for creating infrastructures and promoting spice cultivation were also presented. The active interaction and hands on practical demonstrations on standard propagation techniques, BBF method of planting, rhizome treatment for organic & inorganic practices, pro tray nursery raising & its advantages in turmeric & ginger, primary processing of turmeric (cooking, drying, polishing and pulverizing), harvesting of cinnamon bark, buds & cinnamon leaf types, visit to coconut based multispecies model, etc. were unique features of the training programme. Technical Officers – Shri. Rahul Kulkarni, Mrs. Pranjali Wadekar, Shri Omar de Souza, Shri Yoganand Gaude and Young Professionals coordinated the overall programme and practical demonstrations.