Tanka Maya Pulami of the Agriculture Research and Development Centre, Bhutan, addresses the consultation committee meeting on spices development at IISR in Kozhikode. more-in A South Asian consultation meet on technology-sharing on spice crops, organised recently at the Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR), Kozhikode, called for the establishment of a centre of excellence in spices. Accordingly, scientists from Afghanistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Bhutan will submit a proposal to the SAARC Agriculture Centre in Dhaka, Bangladesh. They said the centre, aimed at imparting quality training, could be set up in any South Asian country. Scientists, who also put forth the need to conduct pilot studies on the feasibility of introducing newer spices to South Asian countries, pointed out that it was vital to form a Spice Task Force on technology-sharing and sorting out trade-related issues between partnering countries. Setting up a knowledge portal for spices and a technology hub for easy exchange of advancements in the field too were found crucial at the conclave. “A striking suggestion made at the meet was a flexible germ plasm exchange policy to boost the production of quality spices,” said Lijo Thomas, IISR scientist, who was a coordinator of the international event. The existing system, for most South Asian countries, is complicated, and it can be addressed only through a joint effort, he pointed out. The delegates unanimously backed the idea of offering better field support to traditional growers of ethnic spice varieties. They stressed the need for a speedy documentation of the intrinsic qualities of such spices and ensuring premium price for growers. The participants also called for the prohibition of illegal import of spices. Low-quality pepper import from Vietnam through Sri Lanka was one of the concerns raised by Indian delegates. The three-day conclave concluded last Wednesday.

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