28 Jun, 2021
Agriculture is the backbone of Indian economy and small and marginal farmers are the major contributors. India is the largest producer, consumer, and exporter of spices in the world and accounts for half the global spice trade. Around 85 per cent of the spice production in India is done by small-scale farmers, who typically farm less than two hectares with and seasonally rotate spices cultivation alongside other crops. Production of the spices, by and large, is still carried out through conventional and unsustainable production practices such as monoculture, indiscriminate use of pesticides and poor water management techniques resulting in destruction of habitats, loss of biodiversity, pollinators, ground water contamination and depletion of nutrients in the soil. To strengthen the capacities of small farmers on sustainable agricultural practices, AVT McCormick and GIZ is working together in Developp.de Spices project on the “Enhancement of small holder Spice Farmers Capacities in Sustainable farming”.
The project organised an online training on ‘Sustainable Cardamom Cultivation Practices’ for the farmers in Idukki district of Kerala. The training was conducted on 28 June 2021. Dr. A. K. Vijayan, former Senior Scientist and Head Division, Indian Cardamom Research Institute(ICRI), Spices Board of India (Indian Ministry of Commerce and Industry) trained farmers on different methods for sustainable practices suitable for cardamom cultivation. Over 43 participants joined training sessions including women farmers. The training was conducted in the local language for better understanding of topic by the farmers
Training sessions focused on sustainable farming practices for cardamom cultivation. Dr Vijayan explained briefly about the land preparation practices, planting methodology, seed treatment, efficient fertilizer management as well as integrated pest and disease management practices.
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The ‘Enhancement of Smallholder Spice Farmer’s Capacities in Sustainable Farming’ aims to strengthen the production of cardamom, cumin, and turmeric in four states of India - Kerala Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Rajasthan - to increase the capacities of spice farmers to make production practices more economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable.
The project is part of the develoPPP.de Programme implemented by GIZ on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The lead executing agency for this project is AVT McCormick. develop.PPP was set up by BMZ to involve the private sector in areas where business opportunities and development policy initiatives overlap. Read more
For more information contact: biodiv.india@giz.de
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