In view of the strict regulations imposed by major nutmeg importers such as the European Union, the Spices Board has mooted a series of measures to enhance the quality of nutmeg and nutmace produced and exported from the country.
The Board also plans to position nutmeg as a purely organic crop and would undertake campaigns to promote its uses and benefits. This will help in sustaining the market thereby stabilise prices.
These steps, to be implemented during the 12th Plan period, are aimed at improving the harvest and post-harvest operations, and marketing and exports of nutmeg, officials said at the nutmeg farmer-exporter interface on Friday last.
The issue of aflatoxin in nutmeg and mace has emerged as grave one, as the harvest takes place during the peak of the monsoon.
The Spices Board in association with the Indian Institute of Spices Research and Kerala Agriculture University had campaigned in different nutmeg-growing locations in Kerala and Tamil Nadu to impress upon farmers the necessity to improve the post-harvest operations.
The farmer-exporter interface also deliberated in detail the problems and explored the possibility of working out an action plan. The Board would consider providing support to farmers and farmer groups in establishing a system for production of nutmeg and mace of the right quality.
The meeting also received suggestions for preparation of a set of practices, detailed plant protection procedures, periodic farmer advisory meetings and training, support for establishing processing systems, day-to-day dissemination of prices of nutmeg and mace.
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The farmers sought assistance in procuring modern sprayers to scientifically spray Bordeaux mixture on nutmeg trees besides crop insurance.
The meeting constituted a committee comprising experts from the Indian Institute of Spices Research, Kerala Agriculture University, Tamil Nadu Agriculture University, Indian Cardamom Research Institute as well as farmer representatives Saji Mathew Kadukammackal, PV Antu, Seabastian, Somasekharan Pillai, Johnny Kannampilly and Madhuramakrishnan (Tamil Nadu) to study the existing different drying systems and suggest the ideal curing system.
The meeting was attended by farmers from the various nutmeg-growing locations of Ponkunnam, Adimali, Erattupettah, Kanjoor, Edakunnu, Pariyaram, Kaduthuruthy, Koorachundu, Thiruvambadi in Kerala and Pollachi in Tamil Nadu.
Scientist of the Indian Institute of Spices Research, E Jayasree; progressive farmer, Saji Mathew Kadukammackal of Kakkayam; president of the All Kerala Nutmeg Growers Association, PD Zackaria, secretary, PV Antu, exporters Jojan Malayil, Ramalingom, Anand Kishore; Spices Board directors Siddaramappa, MR Sudarasan and deputy director PS Sreekantan Thampi spoke at the interface. Philip Kuruvilla, Spices Board member and Chairman of the World Spice Organisation presided over the meeting.