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Spice growers interact directly with exporters

Last Updated 07 December 2017, 15:51 IST

When exporters showed interest to buy spices of desired quality directly from the farmers, spice growers expressed enthusiasm to supply spices of any quantity required by exporters, provided they get good and stable price, compared to what they are getting in the market at present.

This was a common scene on the tables where exporters and spices growers held talks in separate groups, during the spices buyer-seller meet held here on Thursday. Members of four farmer producer organisations interacted with exporters, regarding quality, price, quantity and other aspects related to chilli, pepper, ginger and turmeric.

More than 100 farmers from Amarashiva farmer producer organisation in Kundgol taluk of Dharwad district, Aghanashini farmer producer organisation in Siddapur taluk of Uttara Kannada district, Shodha farmer producer organisation in Hosanagar taluk of Shivamogga district, and  turmeric farmer producer organisation in Kollegal of Chamarajnagar district interacted with the representatives of around 28 exporters. These four organisations also displayed spices grown by their members.

'Focus on value-addition'

Speaking at the inauguration of the meet, Karnataka State Spices Development Board (KSSDB) Chairperson Shashikala Kavali noted that more focus would be given on value-addition of spices, by promoting processing units, training farmers, and providing proper marketing facility.

Production of spices is high in Karnataka, but export is less, due to lack of knowledge about the market. On 2.21 lakh hectares of land, 7.7 lakh tonnes of spices are grown in the State. To promote export of spices, the KSSDB has formed four farmer producer organisations and is giving them revolving fund and subsidy, she said.

Cochin-based Spices Board India Secretary S Siddharamappa expressed happiness for Karnataka having a separate spices board for the State.

Karnataka Balavikas Academy Chairman Vedavyas Kaulagi lamented that farmers are not getting the benefits of good price for spices, due to the menace of middlemen. Awareness about growing spices should be created among the farmers in North Karnataka region, while the menace of middlemen should also be checked, he added.

Zilla Panchayat (ZP) President Chaitra Shirur, KSSDB Director G B Pavan, APMC President Eshwar Kittur, KSSDB Managing Director Somashekhar Hulloli, Directors Atavullakhan K S, Anil Gurav, Basavanagouda Patil, and others were present.

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(Published 07 December 2017, 15:36 IST)

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