The Karnataka State Spices Development Board (KSSDB) will set up a state-of-the-art spice stall here shortly, said KSSDB chairperson Shashikala V. Kavali.
Speaking to presspersons here on Tuesday, Ms. Kavali said that KSSDB is working on a plan to set up the spice stall at a cost of ₹ 30 lakh. It has been planned to design the spice stall on the lines of the one set up by the Spice Board of India in Kochi in Kerala.
The proposed spice stall will help customers buy good quality spices at justifiable prices, she said.
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A KSSDB delegation, led by her, recently visited the Spice Board of India office in Kochi and received fist-hand information about its activities. The spice stall set up there is doing well. Impressed by that stall, the KSSDB has come out with the idea of setting up a similar stall here. When it comes up, it will be the first-of-its-kind spice stall in the State. The Spice Board of India officials too have welcomed this initiative and assured the delegation of all assistance in designing and installing this stall, she said.
Ms. Kavali said that the KSSDB is yet to be strengthened with necessary budgetary allocations and powers to implement schemes for the promotion of spices in the State.
Therefore, the KSSDB has urged the State government to hand over spice-related schemes of the Department of Horticulture to KSSDB. If it happens, it will help implement the schemes for the promotion of spices effectively and fulfil the objectives behind setting up this board. Besides, the government has been urged to provide a minimum of ₹ 150 crore budgetary allocations to make it function efficiently, she added.
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Meet next month
KSSDB will, in association with the Spice Board of India, organise a buyers and sellers meet here on November 23. Exporters registered with the Spice Board of India and farmers registered with KSSDB will participate. KSSDB has asked the Hubballi Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee to provide 20 guntas of land at the yard here to set up an independent building for the KSSDB. The land deal is likely to be finalised in a few days, Ms. Kavali said.