TNINS 

Production of spices reaches four lakh tonnes in the state

Favourable climatic and soil conditions attracting farmers for spices cultivation

Chhattisgarh is supplying coriander seeds to other states

Raipur,

There has been a steady increase in production of spices in the state. The state government's farmer-friendly scheme is aiding farmers to adopt spices cultivation to earn a good income. Farmers are adopting new techniques in farming. Generally, the farmers who have been cultivating paddy and other traditional crops, are now turning towards the cultivation of spices as well in Chhattisgarh. Chhattisgarh is getting a new identity in the country in the cultivation of spices.

Being favorable climatic and soil conditions for the cultivation of spices, the production is also increasing in the state. The farmers are earning good income along with an increase in production. There is a balance in the demand and supply of spices in Chhattisgarh. Presently the production of spices is more than four lakh metric tonnes. Also, the results are so encouraging in this area, now coriander seeds are also being supplied from Chhattisgarh to other states.

According to agricultural scientists, the climate of Chhattisgarh is favorable for the production of spices. This is the factor that cultivation of spices is continuously increasing in the state. Turmeric, ginger, red chili, carom seeds, tamarind, and garlic are being cultivated. Turmeric, coriander, fenugreek, garlic, chili, and ginger are being cultivated in almost all areas of Chhattisgarh. At the same time, celery is being cultivated in Balrampur, Bilaspur, Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi and Mungeli, and black pepper in Kondagaon.

Highest production of turmeric

Spices are currently being cultivated in Chhattisgarh on 66081 hectares of land and about 4 lakh 50 thousand 849 metric tonnes of spices have been produced. The area under cultivation and production of turmeric is highest in Chhattisgarh among spices. After that ginger, coriander, garlic, chili, and tamarind are cultivated.

Farmer-friendly schemes are helping farmers

For the cultivation of spices, farmers are providing assistance under the National Horticulture Mission, National Agricultural Scheme, and other schemes. Under the National Horticulture Mission, spices have been cultivated on 13302 hectares of land in 24 districts and 93114 metric tonnes have been produced. In the last four years, spices were cultivated in 1837.29 hectares under the National Agricultural Development Scheme operated in the state and an average production of 12861 metric tonnes has been achieved. About 3500 farmers have benefitted under the schemes.

Farmers are earning good income

Mr. Mayank Tiwari, a farmer cultivating coriander said that it costs about Rs.20 thousand for sowing coriander on one hectare of land. Income up to Rs.60 to 65 thousand can be earned from this crop. He told that after deducting all the expenses, there is a net income of Rs.40 to 45 thousand.

Mrs. Lokeshwari Bai, president of women's SHG cultivating turmeric in Balodabazar district, told that turmeric has been cultivated in one acre of land, which cost Rs 50,000. The crop production turned out to be very good and there is a possibility of getting an average production of 50-60 quintals. Out of cultivated turmeric, 5 quintals have been excavated, packed, and sold in grocery stores. The farmers of Rajnandgaon, Mrs. Arpa Tripathi, Mr. Gopal Mishra, Mr. Sanjay Tripathi, and Mr. Jainu Ram have together cultivated turmeric on 12.208 hectares of land. They are likely to get 250-300 metric tonnes of turmeric production.

Mr. Pratap Singh, a farmer hailing from Korba district told that he sowed a ginger crop in 0.400 hectares which cost Rs 90 thousand. About 47 quintals were produced, on selling this turmeric he got Rs 1.40 lakh and obtained a net profit of Rs.50 thousand. About 300 farmers have been trained for ginger cultivation in the last four years. These farmers cultivated ginger on 130 hectares and produced 2000 tonnes of ginger.

Research on a new variety of spices

Agricultural Scientist of Indira Gandhi Agricultural University Mr. S.H. Tuteja told that research is being held on the seeds of spices in the past years. With the introduction of two new varieties of coriander namely CG coriander and CG Chandrahu coriander, good crop production is being obtained. It is not only being supplied at the local level but also in the other 7 states. Similarly, a new variety of turmeric has also been developed. Mr.Tuteja told that there is a very good potential for spice crops in Chhattisgarh. Now the farmers are cultivating spices and earning a good income.

National Workshop

To encourage the cultivation of spices and find possibilities for cultivating spices by adopting new techniques, a workshop is to be organized on March 14 and 15, 2023 at Barrister Thakur Chedilal Agricultural College and Research Center situated in Sarkanda in Bilaspur. Subject experts from different states of the country will participate in this workshop and discussions will be held regarding the possibilities and capabilities of the production of spices and aromatic crops in Chhattisgarh. In this, the farmers who cultivate spices and the traders who trade them will also be invited so that a detailed discussion can be held regarding the new technology of spices and its business benefits.