Syllabus: GS 3/Economy
Context
- The World Spice Organisation (WSO) is working with FPOs (Farmer Producer Organizations) to enhance safety, quality, and sustainability in spice cultivation by training farmers in quality control.
| World Spice Organisation (WSO) – It is a not-for-profit organisation registered under the Travancore Cochin Literary, Scientific And Charitable Societies Act, 1956 with the primary objective of facilitating the Spice Industry in dealing with issues of “Food Safety & Sustainability”. – It involves all its stakeholders—the general public, the industry, the academia and the end-users. |
Spices Market In India
- India is known as the ‘Spice Bowl’ of the world. It produces a number of quality, rare and medicinal spices.
- India is the world’s largest spice producer. It is also the largest consumer and exporter of spices.
- India holds only 0.7% of the $14 billion global seasoning market in 2024, compared to China’s 12% and the USA’s 11%.
- India exports 1.5 million tonnes of spices worth $4.5 billion, capturing a quarter of the $20 billion global spice market.
- Only 48% of India’s spice exports are value-added products and to meet the Spices Board of India’s $10 billion export target by 2030, the share of value-added spices should rise to 70%.
- The largest spice-producing states in India are Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Assam, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
Challenges in the Spices Sector
- Impact of Climate Change on production: Erratic rainfall, droughts, and rising temperatures affect spice production. India’s current spice production is insufficient for meeting export demands.
- Example: Cardamom cultivation in Kerala has suffered due to irregular monsoons and extreme heat.
- Pests & Diseases: Spices are highly vulnerable to fungal infections, pests, and viral diseases.
- Example: Black pepper vines in Karnataka have been affected by quick wilt disease, reducing yield.
- Quality Control & Adulteration: Adulteration in spices reduces export credibility and poses health risks.
- Example: Turmeric adulteration with metanil yellow (a toxic dye) has raised food safety concerns.
- Export Restrictions & Global Standards: Stricter pesticide residue limits (MRLs) by countries like the EU & US hinder exports.
- Example: Chili exports to the EU faced rejection due to high pesticide residue levels.
- Low Farmer Income & Market Fluctuations: Price volatility and middlemen dominance reduce farmers’ profits.
- Example: Cumin farmers in Gujarat struggle with price crashes due to oversupply.
Suggestions
- India should explore the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical value of spices, which are already used in Ayurveda and other forms of medicine.
- To boost exports, production needs to increase, and focus should be on reducing production costs, improving quality, and increasing value-added spice exports.
- There is a need to develop high-yielding and climate-resistant spice varieties, with organizations like ICAR and National Research Centre on Seed Spices already working on this.
Source: TH
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