It literally spices up the cuisine and not a day passes by without using them. And the increase in consumption, compared to previous year, has brought cheers to growers and officials. For the first time, the export of spices has mounted to over Rs 7,850 crore.
Tamil Nadu is one of the largest producers of this most important ingredient in Indian dishes, in the country.
Besides turmeric, chilli and tamarind, coriander, garlic, clove, vanilla and cardamom are grown in the state.
The increase in the exports to Rs 7,850 crore during the first 10 months of 2011-12 has raised the hopes of the Spices Board of India authorities in seeing more value in terms of rupees on the export front in the coming months.
Spices export from India had touched a new high during the 2010-11 fiscal, with a volume of 5.25 lakh tonnes and earnings of about `6,840 crore ($1,500 million). The target was only 4.65 lakh tonnes and Rs 5,100 crore ($1,125 million).
On spreading the cultivation of other spices to non-traditional areas, an official at the Spices Board
of India said the board had taken up the cultivation of mint in Tamil Nadu and initial reports indicate that it was a success. Mint is traditionally grown in Uttar Pradesh and is a good export revenue earner.
It has been planned to establish a spice park for turmeric in Sivagangai this fiscal. “Steps to set up
the spice park exclusively for turmeric to benefit the cultivators in and around Sivagangai has commenced,” the official said.