Spices Board is planning to launch its second e-auction centre at Bodinayakanur on Monday to ensure remunerative prices for cardamom growers.
Constructed on two acres of land on the board’s premises, the new auction centre will be equipped with all modern facilities to assist cardamom trade.
The board has revolutionised the auction system for small cardamom by introducing electronic auction, according to sources.
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The e-auction has replaced the traditional outcry system of auction and rendered the trade transparent. Since the introduction of the e-auction, the small cardamom trade has grown manyfold.Board officials said that small cardamom production during 2015-16 was 22,000 tonnes in the country.
5,500 tonnes exported
A total of 5,500 tonnes of small cardamom, valued at Rs. 450 crore, was exported in 2015-16 fiscal, the highest for small cardamom.
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Development activities and marketing interventions by the board had led to quantum increase in production and export of small cardamom, they added. Board Chairman A. Jayathilak is expected to inaugurate the centre on Monday. Minister for Finance O. Panneerselvam, Theni MP R. Parthibhan and Bodi Municipal Chairman N.R. Palani Raj will take part in the inaugural function.
The first e-auction centre was set up at Puttady Spice Park in Kerala in 2011.