Accessible Guides for Sustainable Spice Cultivation and Practices

20 Oct, 2024

Distribution of handbooks, manuals and farmer diaries in Tamil Nadu © develoPPP Spices Project

Smallholder spice farmers are at the heart of sustainable agricultural practices, yet they face significant challenges in adopting environmentally friendly methods. Limited access to knowledge, quality resources like organic fertilisers and financial constraints often hinder their ability to implement sustainable farming techniques. Recognising these challenges, our develoPPP project, “Enhancement of Smallholder Spice Farmers’ Capacities in Sustainable Farming,” aims to bridge these gaps. This initiative provides farmers with the essential tools and insights needed to boost productivity and promote a healthier agricultural environment.

As part of the ongoing commitment, the project distributed 3,110 knowledge materials to 1,087 farmers across four Indian states—Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Rajasthan, and Haryana. This extensive reach underscores our dedication to equipping farmers with valuable resources to foster sustainable practices. By tailoring materials to local contexts and languages, the project ensures that information is accessible and impactful for farmers on the ground.

Overview of Knowledge Materials (Available in English | Hindi | Kannada | Malayalam and Tamil)

• Integrated Nutrient Management Handbook: Guidelines for nutrient optimisation to support healthier spice plants
• Integrated Pest & Disease Management Handbook: Sustainable strategies for managing pests and diseases in spice farming
• Soil Sampling & Soil Testing Handbook: Techniques for assessing and improving soil health in spice cultivation
• Separate Manuals for Sustainable Production Practices of Cardamom, Cumin and Turmeric.
• Farmer Diaries on Turmeric and Celery for Effective Record Keeping

Creating these materials involved a collaborative process of gathering insights from local farmers and agricultural experts to ensure the content was practical and aligned with regional needs. In addition to scientific research on biological pest control and sustainable practices, traditional farming methods were incorporated, allowing for a balanced approach that respects both innovation and local knowledge.

The project actively engages women farmers, recognising their essential contributions to agriculture. Through tailored training sessions, such as the ANDREAS HERMES AKADEMIE B | U | S module, the project aims to foster entrepreneurship and business skills. Additionally, the project plans to establish a Community of Practice (CoP) network, connecting spice industry stakeholders to encourage collaboration and shared learning.

This effort aligns with the Indo-German partnership for Green and Sustainable Development for key focus themes on agroecology and biodiversity.

Mrs. Maheswari Field Staff of AVT McCormick distributing the knowledge products to Turmeric farmers of Tamil Nadu © develoPPP Spices Project

Mr. Veerabhadrasamy Field Staff of AVT McCormick distributing the knowledge products to Turmeric farmers of Karnataka © develoPPP Spices Project

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About the project

The ‘Enhancement of Smallholder Spice Farmer’s Capacities in Sustainable Farming’ aims to strengthen the production of cardamom (Kerala), Cumin and Dill seed (Rajasthan) turmeric (Tamil Nadu and Karnataka), Celery (Punjab and Haryana) by increasing the capacities of spice farmers and making the production practices economically, socially and environmentally more 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