GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

(DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 275

TO BE ANSWERED ON 05th FEBRUARY,2018

ACTIVITIES AND FUNCTIONING OF SPICES BOARD

275. DR. SHASHI THAROOR:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY be

pleased to state:

(a) whether as per a report on the activities and functioning of the Spices Board,

concerted action is required to check the decline in yielding area of small cardamom

in the States of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu;

(b) if so, the specific measures which will be taken by the Government to address this

matter;

(c) whether the Government is aware that as per the said report, the absence of a full

time Chairman has affected the smooth discharge of the functions and duties

prescribed under the Spices Board Act, 1986;

(d) if so, the reasons for not appointing a full time Chairman; and

(e) the steps which the Government will take to expedite the appointment of a full time

Chairman?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

(SHRI C. R. CHAUDHARY)

(a)& (b): There has been no decline in the area of small cardamom in the States of Kerala,

Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. However, during the year 2016-17, the total production of

cardamom has seen marginal decline mainly due to drought/long dry spell that prevailed in

the cardamom growing areas of Kerala, thereby negatively affecting the production of small

cardamom. The details regarding production of small cardamom in the last 5 years is given

below:

(in Metric Tonnes)

Government through the Spices Board is implementing the “Integrated Scheme for Export

Promotion & Quality Improvement in Spices and Research & Development of Cardamom” to provide financial assistance to the spice growers and traders, including the cardamom

growers. Under the scheme several financial assistance is provided which inter-alia includes support for cardamom replanting, production of quality planting material, irrigation and land development, improved cardamom curing devices, supply of integrated pest management input kits, farm mechanization etc. Training programmes are also conducted to educate the cardamom growers on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP).

During the Medium Term Frame Work (2017-18 to 2019-20), Government has approved a

total financial outlay of Rs. 491.78 crore for export development and promotion of spices

including small cardamom, with a special focus on area expansion programme in nontraditional

cardamom growing areas.

(c),(d) &(e): Steps have been taken for appointment of a full time Chairman in the Spices

Board.

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Relevance/Significance

The Standing Committee on Commerce in August, 2017 had expressed its disappointment in its 138th Report that a full time Chairman had not been appointed by the Government, requesting the Government to take immediate steps to do so. The Government has merely stated that they have taken steps for the appointment of a full-time chairman without giving further details. The Spice Board website has not been updated either, so it indicates that a full-time Chairman has not been appointed. 

The Government has also said that it has approved a total financial outlay of Rs. 491.78 crore for export development and promotion of spices including small cardamom.