The Spices Board chairperson Sangeetha Viswanathan with Kerala Agriculture Minister T.Siddique.
Spices Board is exploring the potential of indoor saffron cultivation in Kerala as a high-value agricultural opportunity.The Board chairperson Sangeetha Viswanathan who met the State Agriculture Minister T.Siddique discussed the possibilities of promoting indoor saffron cultivation, encouraging value addition and creating new income avenues for progressive farmers through scientific cultivation methods and technological support.She proposed closer collaboration between the Agriculture Department and the Spices Board for implementing joint programmes on sustainable spice cultivation, farmer training, value addition, technology transfer and market-oriented initiatives aimed at improving the livelihoods of Kerala’s farming community.The Chairperson also held detailed discussions on the challenges faced by spice farmers, particularly cardamom growers in Idukki. She submitted a comprehensive representation seeking the State Government’s support for strengthening climate-resilient and sustainable spice cultivation.She urged the Minister to take immediate steps to facilitate and expedite Cardamom Registration for eligible farmers, as registration is mandatory for availing the developmental and export promotion schemes of the Board. Ensuring timely registration would enable a larger number of farmers to benefit from various Central Government assistance programmes implemented through the Board, she said.The Chairperson highlighted the growing challenges confronting spice farmers, including climate change, prolonged dry spells, declining soil health, indiscriminate use of chemical pesticides, inadequate irrigation facilities and increasing human-wildlife conflict.She requested the State Government to extend support for mist irrigation systems, community irrigation projects, rainwater harvesting, promotion of bio-control agents, strengthening of Good Agricultural Practices, revision of crop insurance schemes, installation of automatic weather stations and implementation of climate-resilient farming initiatives. She also sought stronger preventive measures, including solar fencing and timely compensation, to address crop losses caused by wild animals.The Minister assured that the proposals would be examined positively in the interest of the farming community.Published on July 30, 2026
