SPICES IN THE

POST-COVID

SCENARIO

MAY 27 , 2020

WEBINAR REPORT

INDIAN SOCIETY FOR

SPICES

ORGANIZED BY

ICAR - INDIAN INST ITUTE

SPICES RESEARCH

SPICES IN THEPOST-COVIDSCENARIOProceedings of the Webinar Held on

27 May 2020 on Google Meet Platform

Compiled byLijo Thomas, C.N. Biju & Santhosh J. Eapen

Organized by

Indian Society for Spices

ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research

CONTENTS

OVERVIEW 2

INAUGURAL ADDRESS 3

Anand Kumar Singh

DDG (Hort. Sci.), ICAR, New Delhi

LEAD SPEAKERS 4

D. Sathiyan IFS

Secretary, Spices Board, Kochi

COMMENTS 8

Panel Members

RECOMMENDATIONS 1 1

T. Janakiram

ADG (Hort. II), ICAR, New Delhi

Gopal Lal

Director, NRC Seed Spices, Ajmer

Geemon Korah

CEO, M/s Kancor ingredients Ltd., Kochi

EPILOGUE 13

PROLOGUE 1

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19)

has impacted all facets of life across

the globe. It is now an accepted fact

that the reverberations of the

pandemic will have far reaching

consequences for all sectors of the

economy including agriculture and

allied sectors. Being a sector with high

degree of integration, both vertically

and horizontally, with a diverse range

of primary, industrial and service

activities, the adverse impacts on

agricultural sector can have a

cascading effect on other sectors as

well. Union Government and state

governments have initiated several

measures for effectively containing

the spread of the virus and for

providing treatment and relief to the

directly and indirectly affected

citizens of the country.

The spices sector in the country has

also been affected by the coronavirus

disease and its resultant economy

wide effects. The evolving scenario in

the production, processing and trade

of spices shall determine the fortunes

of the multitudes of stakeholders who

derive their livelihood from the sector,

either as primary producers or as

active agents in activities along the

complex spice value chains. During

2018-19 India produced 9.2 million

tonnes of spices from an area of 3.9

million hectares. India also plays a

significant role as the leading source

of spice extracts in the world. The

spices sector has consistently

punched above its weight in tis

contribution to agricultural exports

from the country. Spice crops

whichare grown in less than 2 per

cent of the gross cropped area

contribute 8.6 per cent of the

agricultural exports in value terms.

The cultivation, processing and value

addition activities in spices provide

employment to millions. The output

growth in spices surpassed that of

food grains, pulses and oilseeds in the

past decade and the sector holds

immense promise and potential

within the agricultural sector.

The diverse nature of activities in the

global spice value chain and the need

for cohesive functioning of all these

stakeholder communities makes it

imperative to have a consensus on the

outlines of strategy aimed for the

sector. Though this event happens at a

time when a state of fluidity is

palpable in the emerging scenarios,

an attempt to bring together the

diverse perspectives on the sector is

clearly needed. This event makes that

effort and brings together

representatives from key stakeholder

communities to share their concerns

and put forward their views in the

crafting of response strategies to

overcome the adverse impacts of the

pandemic. While providing a holistic

coverage of the issues at hand, this

also provides an opportunity for cross

functional understanding of the sector

and provide a platform for initiating

inter institutional ventures cutting

across stakeholder categories for

furthering the cause of the spice

sector in the country.

PROLOGUE

1

The Indian Society for Spices (ISS) in

collaboration with the ICAR-Indian

Institute of Spices Research (ICAR-

IISR), Kozhikode organized a Webinar

on ‘Spices in the post-COVID scenario’

on 27 May 2020. The webinar brought

together, various stakeholders in the

spices sector to discuss the elements

of a strategic response to the

challenges raised by the pandemic.   

The platform was designed to evolve

pragmatic policy guidelines

benefiting the agricultural sector in

general and spice growers in

particular.

The Webinar had four speakers and

four panelists representing eminent

academicians, policy makers and

industry, prominent in spices sector.

Hon’ble Deputy Director General

(Hort. Science), Indian Council of

Agricultural Research (ICAR), Dr. A. K.

Singh inaugurated the Webinar. Dr.

Santhosh J. Eapen, President, ISS was

the moderated the discussions during

the webinar. More than 200

participants representing various

facets of spice sector including policy

makers, academicians, researchers,

industrialists, farmers and students

attended the Webinar.

Shri. D. Sathiyan IFS, Secretary, Spices

Board presented the various aspects

of the challenges faced    in the

development and marketing of spices,

especially at the international level.

He also outlined the policy initiatives

undertaken by the Spices Board in

mitigating some of the key challenges

faced by the spice export houses.  The

spice crop output in the post covid

scenario was discussed  Dr. T.

Janakiram, Assistant Director General

(Hort. II), who presented the lead

lecture on Challenges and solutions in

major spices.  He stressed the need to

provide robust support for spice

farming community for maintaining

the output of spices. Dr. Gopal Lal,

Director, ICAR-National Research

Centre on Seed Spices, deliberated on

the challenges and strategic

perspectives for the seed spices

sector. The industry perspective on

the issue was highlighted by  Mr.

Geemon Korah, Chief Executive

Officer, M/s. Kancor Ingredients Ltd.,

Kochi.

Dr. K. Nirmal Babu, Director & Project

Coordinator (Spices), ICAR-IISR,

Kozhikode; Dr. Homey Cheriyan,

Director, Directorate of Arecanut &

Spices Development (DASD),

Kozhikode; Dr. J. Thomas, Advisor,

Peermade Development Society,

Idukki and Dr. P. S. Sreekantan

Thampi, Consultant, World Spice

Organization, Kochi served as the

panel members.

OVERVIEW

2

DR . A .K . SINGH

The Covid pandemic has created a sense

of dread among the farming community

with a range of uncertainties regarding

production and marketing of produce. As,

the public funded apex agricultural

research institution, it shall remain the first

and foremost concern of ICAR to support

and sustain the production and marketing

activities of the farming community and

to instill a sense of confidence in them.

This confidence should be real and

leveraged on ensuring availability of

planting material, technology

backstopping to mitigate production

constraints and innovative research

strategies with concrete outcomes with

practical application.

The research institutions should be

able to visualize the field level

problems and address them with

responsiveness and empathy needed

at this time. The research institutions

should be able to evolve strategies

for providing uninterrupted research

and development services under res-

“It shall remain the first andforemost concern of ICAR to supportand sustain the production andmarketing activities of the farmingcommunity and to instill a sense ofconfidence in them”

- Dr. A K Singh

trictions of movement and constrained

logistical services. This is also a time to

undertake skilling of the staff in

emerging digital tools and thereby

strengthen their ability to play critical

role in crop economy. An organization

like ICAR can use its extensive reach

and resources for skilling farmers to

interact and explore the emerging

crop economy and in adapting to the

changes in the value chain.

The use of spices and its extracts are

known to boost immunity. This global

pandemic can initiate a renewed

global quest for good quality spices,

centuries after the initial one. The time

may be right for the spice flavours to

consolidate its position in the global

markets. Increased production should

be concomitant with a deepening and

diversification of the market demand

to avoid a secular decline in terms of

trade of spice commodities. The

research on high value compounds in

spices also need to be strengthened

with a focus on finding new

applications across nutraceutical,

pharmaceutical and wellness industry.

We should also look to work in close

coordination and enhanced

involvement of grass root institutions

and farmer collectives to address the

diverse challenges. This will also form

the corner stone of our key objective of

ensuring adequate supply of safe

spices in the spice value chain.

3

Deputy Director General (Hort. Sci.),

ICAR, New Delhi

As the world gears up to meet the

challenges in the aftermath of covid

pandemic, the Indian spices sector has a

critical role to play in global spice trade.

The onus is on Indian spice sector to

ensure uninterrupted supply of spices.

While reflecting on the strategies for

achieving this, we can clearly see that the

situation also presents a huge opportunity

for the spices sector to reinvent itself as a

trustworthy source of high quality spices.

The increasing stringency in food safety

and quality norms, imposed by the

importing countries, should be used as a

trigger for installing better quality and

food safety compliance systems in spices

value chain. The process of enhancing the quality of

the spices starts right from the farmer

field and continues along the entire

value chain. The Spices Board is taking

an active role in the implementation of

IndGAP certification standards  in spices

sector with crop based modules. The

Board hopes that the certification

process can be a game changer quality

and food safety in spice commodities.

The Board will also provide concrete

support and promote internationally

accepted quality certifications in

manufacturing and processing units. The

safety of personnel engaged in the spice

industry is of paramount importance and

the guidelines for personnel safety codif-

ied by WHO/Government of India need to

be followed in letter and spirit. The Spices Board has also taken several

measures to address specific issues related

to commodities and trade partners at the

global level. The disruption in e-auction of

cardamom could be addressed with the

proposed integration of the auction

process with the e-NAM platform. The

Board has given relaxations in certification

requirements to non-EU countries, which

should facilitate fast processing of export

commitments during this time.

Programmes like National Sustainable

Spice Programme (NSSP) implemented in

collaboration with world Spice

Organization and Standards and Trade

Development Facility of WTO can reap rich

dividends for the spices sector in terms of

meeting global standards of food safety

and sustainability.

The fragmented mandate in developing

spices sector, notwithstanding, all the

institutional stakeholders are inalienably

connected to the farming community and

the mandate should not be a constraint in

working in close coordination for crafting a

vibrant spice economy in the country.

MR . D . SATHIYAN , IFS

“The Board will provide concretesupport and promote internationallyaccepted quality certifications inmanufacturing and processing unitsin the spices sector”

- Mr. D Sathiyan, IFS

4

Secretary, Spices Board, Kochi, Kerala

The spices sector is unique among the sub

components of agriculture, with its

presence across several cropping systems

as a cash crop, its export orientation and

non-perishable nature. The evolving

scenario in the spices sector is being

closely monitored by ICAR and its

constituent institutes. In case of crops like

black pepper, ginger and turmeric, the

harvest season was almost over except in a

few regions. The summer management in

perennial crops like black pepper,

cardamom and tress spices like nutmeg

and clove were also impacted due to the

restrictions imposed by the pandemic. The

land preparation and other activities for

the ginger and turmeric crop of 2020-21

has been significantly affected. Delayed

planting and compromised land

preparation in these crops can reduce the

output in these crops, especially in the

case of ginger. The regular nature of plant

protection operations in cardamom crop

and the 6-8 rounds of harvesting cycles

practiced means that the prolonged

period of disruption in input supply chains

and marketing will adversely affect the

crop output in the next season.

The full impacts of the pandemic will be

played out over the upcoming cropping

seasons. We should be geared up to

provide technology backstopping to meet

the varied challenges. It could be

compromised land preparation, non-

availability of labour for critical operations,

plant protection issues under constrained

input conditions etc. But, the research

network should be able to provide

expected technological support for these

adversities. Short and focused crop

management research modules which

can yield, even if ad hoc, advisories to the

farming community need to be pursued.

We see that in most of the spices, the

production is highly skewed in a few

districts mostly less than 50 or so. Though

there are risks associated with this

geographical concentration, it also

presents an opportunity to aggressively

protect and push technologies with an

aim to avoid supply shocks. Looking

ahead, we would like the research and

development agencies to develop more

ability to adapt and reduce the time

frames for response. In short, we want

them to be more street smart along with

maintenance of requisite academic rigour.

The research on medicinal properties of

spices, new applications in wellness

industry and exploration of high value

compounds could all be useful in the

current situation. The convergence and

coordinated efforts of all the major pillars

of the spice economy is essential to design

critical interventions in the system.

DR . T . JANAKIRAM

“The full impacts of the pandemic willbe played out over the upcomingcropping seasons. We should begeared up to provide technologybackstopping to meet the variedchallenges.  ”

- Dr . T . Janakiram

5

Asst. Director General (Hort. Sci.), ICAR, New Delhi

The seed spices sector in India is very

important in terms of its contribution to

spices trade, both at the domestic level

and at the global level. The impact on

primary production was limited due to the

fact that the harvesting of seed spices like

cumin and fennel were nearing

completion when the lockdown became

effective in the country. However, some

areas were affected due to delay in

harvest, especially in crops like fennel and

ajwain, where the peak harvesting season

falls in April. The non-availability of

packing material, the lack of labour for

conducting post harvest operations, the

unplanned storage levels at the farm level

and the disruptions in the movement of

the commodity affected the sector

significantly. The locust problem which

occurred in several seed spice growing

regions accentuated the constraints

experienced by the seed spice production

sector.

The compromised levels of operations in

post-harvest handling including cleaning,

grading and packing of the produce raises

significant challenges in quality

management of the procured spices. 

Maintaining the quality profile of the

commodity would be the immediate

major challenge in seed spices. The

relaxations in certification requirements

here does not imply a relaxation in quality

parameters in the export destinations.

Some of the inadequacies of the APMC act

were highlighted during this time. The

disruption of activities of APMCs during this

time should serve as a wake-up call to

evolve mechanisms to counter such

situations in future so that the trade and

procurement operations are not affected.

Carefully crafted policies on relaxing the

APMC acts at such times and providing

more flexibility, options and market access

for the farming community for the disposal

of their produce would be a welcome

move. The farmer collectives in spices

sector need to be promoted through price

and non-price incentives so that the small

holder producers can access better services

and marketing facilities through collective

strength.

The research on high value compounds in

spice commodities and development of

rapid testing facilities for measurement of

key quality parameters also require urgent

attention. A special task force on the spices

sector, an important constituent of

agricultural sector with a vivid export

orientation, could be entrusted with the

task of developing a cohesive strategy for

overall growth and development of the

spices sector in the country.

DR . GOPAL LAL

“The compromised levels of operationsin post-harvest handling includingcleaning, grading and packing of theproduce raises significant challengesin quality management of theprocured spices”

- Dr . Gopal La l

6

Director, NRC Seed Spices, Ajmer, Rajasthan

The responses to the covid pandemic

should internalize the nuances of the

spices sector in India, both on the

production aspects and the industrial

processing and trade aspects. Nearly 98

per cent of the total spice production in

the country comes from small holdings

and this perspective should not be lost in

devising strategies and contemplating

responses. From an industry perspective,

about 65 per cent of the spice extraction

activities is carried out from India giving it

a unique position in the global spice value

chains.

The high shelf stability of the spice

commodities and the awareness about

the immunity boosting properties of

spices has generated an increased

demand for spices and its value added

extracts. The increased demand also arises

from a preponement of the normally

staggered export demand over a period to

overcome possible future disruptions in

the supply chain.  The demand for safe

and sustainable spices and its extracted

products might find a significant increase

in demand and it would be prudent to

reap the benefits of through planned

approach in meeting the demand, both at

the domestic and global level.

Ensuring food safety and meeting stringent

pesticide residue norms of export

destinations would require vast changes in

the production and policy environment

prevailing in the sector. The recent move to

ban the use of some of the pesticides,

which have outlived their utility, is a

welcome step. A comprehensive initiative

to harmonize the availability and use of

plant protection chemicals with

internationally accepted standards need to

be undertaken. This would involve

providing the farming community with a

cafeteria of easily biodegradable pesticides

for safe use in spice cultivation and require

coordinated action by Central Insecticide

Board, agricultural departments and

research establishment.

Enhanced use of bio-pesticides in

spices cultivation would be a

welcome change and this sector looks

promisingly ripe for new entrants of

all hues, techno-preneurs, agri-

startups and the like, in the sphere of

technology generation and

commercialization.

MR . GEEMON KORAH

"Ensuring food safety and meetingstringent pesticide residue normsof export destinations wouldrequire vast changes in theproduction and policy environmentprevailing in the sector."

- Mr . Geemon Korah

7

CEO, M/s Kancor Ingredients Ltd., Kochi, Kerala

As the host institute, it gives us immense

pleasure to be instrumental in a detailed

discussion on the possible impact of the

covid pandemic on the spices production,

marketing and trade. In these difficult

times, a concerted and coordinated effort

from the various stakeholder communities

is important to mitigate the adverse effects

of the pandemic.

Despite the various constraints, the ability

of the spices sector to sustain production

and productivity amidst disruptions was

on display. It seems that, robust support for

the primary producers with appropriate

technology inputs for meeting the

increasingly challenging production and

market environment can ward off

concerns about the availability of raw

material.   As a research institute, we are

well aware of the need to maintain an

active dialogue with sectors having

dynamic linkages with the primary

production sector.

The easing of the restrictions have ensured

that the primary production process could

carry on, even with attendant constraints.

There is also a huge expectation from the

agricultural sector. As the primary provider

of employment, the agricultural sector will

be expected to provide more wage

employment opportunities for the

returning migrant laborers in the rural

areas. The reverse migration of labour has

affected agriculturally progressive regions

across the country, but the availability of

these laborers at their lesser developed rural

origins can be leveraged to push

agricultural growth in those regions. The

opportunities for spice crops in this context

need to be identified and nurtured with an

area specific approach focusing on non-

traditional areas with low agricultural

development index.

We are cautiously optimistic that the ability

of the spice production sector to meet the

requirements of the country has not been

compromised significantly. We also also

hope that the effect of the pandemic will

be marginal for the upcoming rabi plantingseason of 2020-21 and the Kharif seasonfollowing that.  The pandemic has already

triggered a perceptional shift among some

of the key sectors, which could be of benefit

to the spices sector. There is palpable

interest in developing new products,

especially food and beverage products,

which can deliver calibrated doses of spices

as a nutritional supplement. Though spices

have been known for its properties as an

immune-booster, the product development

efforts were well below the desired levels.

Many traditional Indian health drink

formulations, most of them with a healthy

infusion of spices, are also finding a

commercial interest.    Collaborative work

has already started with industry partners in

developing spice infused food and

beverage products.. The product

development research should receive

increased attention of the researchers of

both public and privately funded R&D

laboratories.

DR . K . NIRMALBABU

8

Director, ICAR-IISR, Kozhikode, Kerala

As the entire world prepares for more

stringent application of food safety

norms, we must re-evaluate our research

priorities to suit those changing

sentiments. In case of spices, the food

safety issues are mainly interlinked with

pesticide residues in the products. The

sector also faces a specific problem since

a significant quantity is exported in the

form of concentrated oleoresins other

extracts which accentuate and aggravate

the problem of pesticide residues.

Starting from crop management and

crop protection strategies and right

through the entire processing and value

chain, innovations and standards need to

be imposed for achieving the desired

levels of food safety.

The availability of new generation

molecules of chemical and biological

origin, meeting the most stringent food

safety concerns would be ideal for a

primary producer. They also have the right

to expect the research establishment to

deliver such inputs which are safe and

effective. A technology push for promoting

the use of biologicals and safe chemicals

need to be considered.  Each constituent,

be it research, industry or development

institution, brings to the table, a unique set

of core competency, all of which are

equally needed to address a crisis of this

proportion.  This is the time to shed our

apprehensions, inhibitions and apathy in

forging strategic and creative ties with one

another. We seek support from all the

constituents, and request to contribute

resources, goodwill and competence to

steward the response initiatives.

DR . HOMEY CHERIYAN

The COVID has totally disrupted the

supply chain in spices. Right from

availability of planting materials to

supply of raw produce for the processing

industries is severely affected by the

lockdown imposed across the country.

The inter and intra state travel

restrictions have severely hampered the

movement of seed materials which

coupled with the shortage of migrant

laborers resulted in delayed planting of

ginger and turmeric in several parts of

the country.

9

The Directorate is interacting with all

its partner institutions across the

spices development sector for

ensuring availability of good quality

planting material during the planting

season. The planting and other

production activities in the major

spice production hubs are being

monitored to ensure adequate supply

of spices. Being the nodal agency to

accredit black pepper nurseries, the

Directorate will ensure spread of

improved varieties developed over a

period of years. Director, DASD, Kozhikode, Kerala

The immediate responses from public

institutions and private sector should

invariably focus on mitigation of manifest

constraints in procurement of spices and

availability of critical inputs for continuing

the production activity. However, the

spices sector should have a long term

perspective with sustainable and safe

production practices as its cornerstone.

This perspective starts from a basic

concern for maintaining and enhancing

the soil health and fertility of our major

production zones, where a deterioration in

soil quality is being increasingly felt.

Care must be taken to ensure that the

commercialization and mainstreaming

of small holder spice farming should

not be at the expense of the rich spice

biodiversity at the major traditional

production zones. Small holders and

their collectives require persistent hand

holding in developing adequate storage

facilities, adopting food safety

management systems, exploring new

markets and in catering to demands for

niche products derived from spices.

They also need to explore alternate

channels for direct marketing of the

produce.

DR . J . THOMAS

The disruption in movement of spice

samples from the procurement points to

the accredited labs and the consequent

delay in getting the samples tested and

getting confirmation of the quality of the

produce affected the movement of the

spices in the value chain significantly.

Though we have never witnessed a

disruption of similar scale in our collective

memories, it is time to develop an alternate

system to address similar disruptions and to

enhance the efficiency of the sample testing

process flow.

The concept on “Instant Labs” at the points

of procurement may be a way out.

DR. P. S. SREEKANTAN THAMPI

The developments in the field of rapid

quality testing methodologies need to be

evaluated and consensus on the protocols

for its use and legal framework for the use

of the test reports need to be designed in

consultation with relevant stakeholders.

The skilling of local labour pool in operations

related to production and post-harvest

operations of spices can address the

disruption in availability of migrant labour for

such semi-skilled operations. Apart from

public funded institutions, the private sector

can also undertake such human resource

development activities for the larger interest

of the spices economy.

10

Adviser, Peermade Development Society,Idukki, Kerala

Consultant, World Spice Organisation, Kochi,Kerala

RECOMMENDATIONS

ACTIONABLE POINTS

Considering the increasing concerns on

food safety and quality of spices in the

export destinations, ICAR-Indian Institute

of Spices Research and ICAR-National

Research Centre on Seed Spices should

undertake a thorough review of the

package of practices of spices cultivation

and bring out a comprehensive package

of Good Agricultural Practices to be

followed in each crop.

Research institutes and AICRPS should

provide technical support to the and

GAP programme in spices based on

specific needs identified by the Spices

Board.

An evaluation of planting material

availability across the country in spice

crops may be undertaken by Directorate

of Arecanut and Spices Development on

an urgent basis to identify and address

critical gaps for the current season.

A crop-wise national strategy document

has to be prepared by ICAR-IISR and

ICAR-NRCSS for addressing the

constraints imposed by the

Covid pandemic.

11

Review and monitoring of the

evolving situation may be

coordinated by Spices Board through

monthly meetings with all

institutional stakeholders to flag

emerging issues and address

operational issues in trade and

marketing of spices

Spices Board in collaboration with

ICAR-IISR and ICAR-NRCSS should

initiate field testing and validation of

existing technologies for rapid quality

testing and the WSO may kindly

indicate the list of technologies for

this purpose. This validation is

essential for evolving guidelines for

their use and acceptance in trade and

general commerce as a standard

practice. The results of validation can

be used by Spices Board for evolving

such guidelines.

 

The new generation bio-pesticides

developed by the public sector and

private sector need to be evaluated

urgently in spice crops and

authenticated data need to be

generated for its safe use in crops.

     

A comprehensive guide on use of plant

protection chemicals based on the

restrictions and standards demanded by

demanded by various export

destinations and adhering to national

standards should be made available

to the farming community. The

responsibility can be taken by ICAR

institutes in collaboration with Spices

Board.

The issues and creative suggestions

concerning the functioning of APMC

markets can be developed by the

spice industry bodies like WSO and

submitted to Spices Board for their

considered intervention at the policy

level.

A mapping of technology gaps in

spices need to be undertaken . ICAR-

IISR and  ICAR-NRCSS can identify

challenges in production and Spices

Board and the spice industry can

identify technology gaps in

processing , quality assessment ,

extraction and value addition .     This

technology gaps may be prioritized

scientifically and technology start-

ups and entrepreneurs may be

encouraged to address these

persistent challenges in the spices

sector . A creative and competitive

environment for solving these

challenges need to be created .

12

EPILOGUE

The webinar emphasized the need for a

cohesive and inclusive approach in

policy design for the spices sector,

considering the diverse perspectives on

the short term and long term

challenges faced by the spices sector in

the country. Apart from the need for

urgent measures for strengthening

technology backstopping services to the

farming community, strong intervention

would be required in institutional

support for post-harvest processing and

marketing of spices. The webinar also

stressed the need for strengthening

food safety aspects along the entire

spice value chain and the need to link

food safety and adoption of traceability

systems. The need for strengthening

involvement of farmer collectives and

evelopment of rapid diagnostic and

quality measurement tools was also

highlighted. The discussions also

underscored the need for the various

institutional stakeholders to develop

close operational linkages to identify

and prioritize critical challenges, these

challenges and develop cohesive

responses to these challenges.

INDIAN SOCIETY FOR SPICESC/o Indian Institute of Spices Research

Marikunnu Post, Kozhikode - 673 012, Kerala