Asian countries import Guntur spices while West rejects

Chilli and turmeric exports from the Guntur belt to the Western countries have been rejected due to the presence of excess pesticide residue and toxins in them and their related products.

At the same time, nearly 62,000 tonnes of chillies worth Rs 277.81 crore and 28,750 tonnes of turmeric worth Rs 107.80 crore were exported to the Middle-East, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh between April 2003 and February 2004, according to the statistics available with the regional office of the Spice Board of India here. These exports were lifted at different port points in the country.

With Europe, Japan, Canada and the US revising their quality specifications, spice exporters in the country have not been able to meet the revised standards.

The harmful substances, which are found in the spices, include aflatoxin, ethion, triazophos, cypernethrin, chloropyriphos, excess Ecoli, fenvalerate, phospamidon and dicofol.

A number of chilli consignments were rejected as they had also been found adulterated with 'sudna'. Kibbled red chillies, hot red chilli powder, chilli pepper, ground chillies, whole chillies and stemless chillies are the other varieties and products of chillies that are normally exported from the Guntur area.

"Against all odds, the Spices Board succeeded in making the farmers in a number of villages to raise export quality chillies and turmeric under an ambitious 'Integrated Pest Management programme' (IPM)," B M Jayaram, regional assistant director of the board, told Business Standard.

He said that the scheme covered farmers of Guntur, Prakasam and Krishna districts and the board was also monitoring cultivation of vanilla and black pepper in East Godavari district.

Jayaram said that about 3,000 farmers had adopted the IPM programme in the cultivation of chillies and turmeric during 2003-04 and reaped benefits. Buyers competed with one another in purchasing quality chillies raised by these farmers at a premium rate, he said.

"This year, more and more farmers were coming forward to implement the IPM programme. The board took the help of non-governmental organisations (NGO) like 'Effort' and 'Assist', farmers' associations like Ravela Chilli Farmers' Association, and farm research stations in executing the programme. It also conducted special training programmes for farmers, traders and agriculture officials, underscoring the need and the eventuality to produce pesticide-free chillies and turmeric," he said.

Jayaram said that the IPM programme comprised construction of IPM platforms, supply of tarpaulins, quality seeds and other inputs and preparing vermi compost units.

"Farmers were encouraged to use organic fertilisers and organic pesticides. Use of chemical fertilisers had been rationalised and modern pesticide residue bleaching measures were adopted. The farmers were supplied inputs worth Rs 1,500 each. A sum of Rs 1,000 each was released as subsidy for preparing a vermi compost unit. The board also gave subsidy for construction of IPM platforms. The platforms, each constructed in 150 sq mt at a cost of Rs 78,000, were given 25 per cent subsidy (Rs 125 per sq mt). Many groups of farmers constructed community platforms, each in 500 sq mt at a cost of Rs 500 per sq mt. The platforms and tarpaulins ensured the most crucial and hygienic drying up of chillies and turmeric," he added.

N Koteswara Rao of 'Effort', said that his organisation had helped 350 farmers in 13 villages implement the IPM programme in 900 acres.

"The farmers were impressed by the quality of chillies they produced and they earned profits. Now our stress would be to achieve increase in yields along with quality in chillies," he said.