Context:
Drought situation posing threat to Cardamom sector | Article in The Hindu
About Cardamom:
- It is a monotype genus of plants found in the tropical Indo-Malaya region.
- Native to the evergreen rainy forests of the Western Ghats.
- Mainly cultivated in Kerala (58%), Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
- Required climatic conditions –
- Rainfall: 1500-2500 mm.
- Temperature: 15°C to 35°C
- Height: 600-1200 m above mean sea level.
- Soil: acidic forest loamy soils.
According to the World Bank, India was the 2nd largest exporter of cardamom in 2021, after Guatemala.
Spice Board of India:
- Genesis: constituted in 1987 under the Spices Board Act 1986.
- Headquarters: Kochi, Kerala
- Role: Autonomous body responsible for the export promotion of the 52 scheduled spices and development of Cardamom.
- Ministry: Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Source: The Hindu
Previous Year Question
With reference to the “Tea Board” in India, consider the following statements:
1. The Tea Board is a statutory body.
2. It is a regulatory body attached to the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
3. The Tea Board’s Head Office is situated in Bengaluru.
4. The Board has overseas offices at Dubai and Moscow.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2022 Prelims]
(a) 1 and 3
(b) 2 and 4
(c) 3 and 4
(d) 1 and 4
Answer: (d)
Explanation:
Statement 2 is not correct:
The Tea Board is functioning as a statutory body of the Central Government under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Statement 3 is not correct:
Its headquarters is located in Kolkata.
