Despite being a major producer, consumer and exporter of spices, India’s spice export volumes largely remain low due to food safety and hygiene issues. Lack of Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) standards, good agricultural practices (GAP), good hygiene practices (GHP) and market linkages have impacted the income of farmers and other stakeholders in the spice value chain, and consumer health at large.

FAO in collaboration with the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF), WTO and the Spices Board is implementing the project titled 'Enhancing the Spice Value Chain for Increased Production and Exports of Safe and Premium-Quality Spices in India and Export Markets' across four states in India. Under the project, The Spices Board is closely partnering with farmers to implement SPS standards and guidelines, and GAP and GHP to improve the quality of specific spices.

As part of this project, a market linkage program for cumin and fennel growers was organised by the Spices Board in Pali, Rajasthan on September 11, 2023. More than 50 farmers attended the program, alongside relevant representatives from the government, the Spices Board, the National Bank for Agriculture & Rural Development (NABARD), Krishi Vigyan Kendras, and representatives from the Jaitaran Farmers Producer Company and South Asia Biotechnology Centre, Jodhpur.

The programme facilitated discussions to address marketing challenges and strengthen the value chain for spices, with a primary focus on quality production, post-harvesting and value addition, procurement, and establishing market connections for seed spices with traders and exporters.

“After attending this meeting, I developed a better understanding of where I can get a good price for my spices. I also attended the GAP and GHP trainings and am confident that now I will have better quality production of cumin and fennel seeds,” says Hamendra Singh, a farmer from Lototi village in Pali district.

FAO’s primary aim is to enhance the quality of spices, enabling farmers to secure higher prices for their produce. These include cumin and fennel in the Mehsana and Jodhpur districts of Gujarat and Rajasthan respectively, coriander in the Guna district of Madhya Pradesh, and black pepper in Paderu, Andhra Pradesh. This concerted effort is aimed at improving the cleanliness and quality of spices to enhance market access and expand the export of safe and high-quality Indian spices. Additionally, as part of the Digital India Initiative, the initiative effectively engages with farmers through contemporary approaches such as harnessing digital tools and smartphones, to name a few.