Spices production to hit an all time high

Despite challenges posed by Covid 19 pandemic, the country’s spices production is likely to touch an all-time high of 105.36 lakh tonnes from an area of 44.87 lakh ha in 2020-21, as per the second advance estimates. Both production and area increased by 3.9% and 4.6% respectively when compared with 2019-20. Increase in production was mainly attributed to the substantial increase in production noticed in spices like Chilli, Black pepper, Garlic, Cardamoms, Coriander, fenugreek etc. However, spices like turmeric, cumin, fennel, ajwan, dill seed, nutmeg, tamarind etc have shown a significant decline in production.

All India area and production of spices

• Ginger production is in terms of fresh2. Turmeric production is in terms of processed (dry)

Source: DASD, Calicut

Various development programmes implemented in the spices sector under MIDH (Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture) have helped tremendously in achieving spectacular growth in production of spices. During the period of NHM/MIDH, from 2005-06 to 2020-21 spices production has increased to the tune of 6.9% and area to the tune of 4.4% annually. Productivity also increased to the tune of 2.3%.