The project ‘’ Strengthening Spice Value Chain in India and improving market access through capacity building’’ was launched on 22 February 2020 at Kochi, Kerala by Spices Board of India and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

The Hon’ble Minister of State, Commerce and Industry, Shri Som Parkash inaugurated the project by unveiling the plaque in the presence of Shri Tomio Shichiri, FAO Representative in India; Shri Vinay Singh, FAO’s Project Manager-Food Safety and Security; and officials of Spices Board.

The project is being supported by the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) of World Trade Organization and implemented by FAO of the United Nations; and Spices Board, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Govt of India.

The project focuses on the production of an exportable surplus of spices such as Cumin, Fennel, Coriander and Black Pepper, by addressing Sanitary & Phytosanitary Issues (SPS) in selected production hubs of Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. Further, the project will introduce a system of linking farmers to exporters, thereby improving traceability through a system of certification to ensure the credibility of the products. The project will contribute towards the national goal of Doubling Farmers’ incomes and support efforts to reduce poverty (SDG1) and hunger (SDG 2) in the selected project areas.