The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), on Friday, decided to continue the Rs.670-crore scheme for promoting spices cultivation during the XII Plan (2012-17), a step that is likely to boost spices exports to $3 billion by March 2017.
“The Cabinet Committee of Economic Affairs has approved the proposal of the Department of Commerce for continuation of Central Sector Scheme Export-Oriented Production, Export Development & Promotion of Spices of Spices Board in the XII Plan period...with some modifications as recommended by the Expenditure Finance Committee. The projected outlay of the scheme is Rs.670 crore during the five-year period of the XII Plan,” an official statement said.
The scheme aims to enhance spices export by building processing capabilities, expansion of markets, increasing production and productivity of cardamom, modernising spice cultivation and post-harvest operations. “This will attract youth to spices cultivation, promote organic cultivation, address food safety concerns of importing countries, market and productivity driven research, skill development, transfer of technology,” it added.
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