AHMEDABAD:
Traditional spice growers from across Gujarat had their first-ever chance to interact face-to- face with an array of exporters from around the country at the meeting organized by Spices Board in one of Asia’s biggest spice markets, Unjha.
Around 200 stakeholders had wide ranging discussions on their supply capabilities and market requirements as well as on measures towards conformity with international quality standards while competing in the global market.
Jayashreeben Kanubhai Patel, MP from Mehsana, delivered the inaugural address during the event organised at Hotel Caravan, Unjha on Friday.
Praising the efforts and initiatives of Spices Board, she said, “The spices farmlands have extended in Gujarat and production has increased in the last couple of years. Spices Board has been organising awareness programmes at the grassroot level which is laudable. The central and state governments are committed to the welfare of farmers in Gujarat.”
She requested Spices Board to ensure a mechanism to help farmers get a fair price for their produce.
Deliberations between progressive farmers, producer societies, agriculture entrepreneurs, service providers, local dealers and exporters churned up prospective transactions, which are expected to materialize soon.
Leaders from the farming and trading communities, dealing in spices such as cumin, fennel, fenugreek, dill seed, ajwain, mustard, sesame, garlic and coriander interacted with spices exporters and processors from across the country.
“Exporters have helped Gujarat’s spices to reach markets across the world and we have now established a reputation for supplying high quality spices,” said Narayanbhai Lalludas Patel, MLA, Unjha, during his presidential address.
Spices Board Chairman Dr. A Jayathilak IAS said the pioneering meet is expected to trigger more trade deals in Gujarat. “This is a step big enough to turn a new chapter in India for trade in spices. We have set the ball rolling,” he added.
In 2016-17, the performance of exporters from Gujarat registered an increase of around 27% in volume and 30% in value over the previous year. “Gujarat, the major production and trade hub for seed spices, holds potential to evolve as the export hub of seed spices as well. More farmers should come forward as the exporters of spices
from the region,” said Dr Jayathilak.
Sanjay Prasad, IAS, Principal Secretary, Agriculture, Farmers’ Welfare and Cooperation, Gujarat, urged Spices Board to popularize the export standards of the products prescribed by the different regions across the world.
