Context:
Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry approved SPICED Scheme.
SPICED Scheme:
- Sustainability in spice sector through progressive, innovative and collaborative interventions for export development’ (SPICED)
- Scheme by Spices Board for sustainability in the spice sector.
- Aim: Expand cardamom area, increase productivity, promote exports, build capacity & skills of stakeholders.
- Major Components:
- Improving productivity of small and large cardamom.
- Post-harvest quality upgradation.
- Market expansion efforts.
- Trade promotion.
- Technology interventions.
- Research and capacity building.
- Skill development.
- Implementation: During the remaining term of the 15th Finance Commission (2023-24 to 2025-26).
Cardamom:
- Cardamom is commercially cultivated for its dried fruits (capsules).
- Small Cardamom:
- Native: Indigenous to the evergreen forests of Western Ghats of South India.
- Major producers: Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu.
- Favorable conditions:
- Thick shady areas with loamy soil, usually acidic.
- Elevation: 600 to 1500 m.
- Adequate drainage must be provided.
- Large Cardamom:
- Distribution: Sub-Himalayan region of North Eastern India, Nepal, Bhutan.
- Favorable conditions:
- Average precipitation: 3000-3500 mm spread over about 200 days.
- Temperature: 6-30°C.
Spice Board India:
- Genesis: Constituted in 1987 under the Spices Board Act, 1986.
- Role: Autonomous body for export promotion of 52 scheduled spices and development of Cardamom (Small & Large).
- Headquarter: Cochin, Kerala.
- Ministry: Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Source: TH
Previous Year Question
Consider the following statements:
1. The Government of India provides Minimum Support Price for niger (Guizotia abyssinica) seeds.
2. Niger is cultivated as a Kharif crop.
3. Some tribal people in India use niger seed oil for cooking.
How many of the above statements are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2023 Prelims]
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (c)
