National spice conference explores opportunities for FPOs in global markets
The World Spice Organisation (WSO) concluded the 3rd National Spice Conference (NSC) 2024 in Ahmedabad, focusing on the "Sustainable Spices Supply Chain." The event emphasized quality, technology, and global market access for FPOs. It highlighted challenges like exportable surplus under strict safety norms and featured discussions on policies, sustainability, and technological advancements benefiting farmers
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The World Spice Organisation (WSO), a non-profit technical partner of the All India Spices Exporters Forum, dedicated to promoting food safety and sustainability in the spice industry, successfully concluded the 3rd Edition of the National Spice Conference (NSC) 2024 on Monday. The event, held in Ahmedabad, witnessed strong participation from various stakeholders across the spice sector.
This year’s theme, "Sustainable Spices Supply Chain – Way Forward," focused on fortifying the supply chain's resilience through sustainable practices, emphasizing quality assurance, adopting new technologies, and creating global market opportunities for farmer-producer organizations (FPOs). Attendees included representatives from FSSAI, the Spices Board, the Central Insecticide Board-Registration Committee (Ministry of Agriculture), National Research Organizations like IISR, and senior executives from prominent spice companies.
Ms. P. Hemalatha IAS, Secretary of the Spices Board, highlighted the robust growth of the Indian spice industry, which contributes 25 percent to the global spice trade. She noted, however, that maintaining exportable surpluses under stringent global food safety regulations remains a critical challenge for the sector.
Mr. Ramkumar Menon, Chairman of WSO, underscored the importance of collaboration in the spice industry, stating, “The National Spice Conference unites diverse players to foster innovation, sustainability, and food safety. Our vision is a sustainable spice sector that benefits farmers and meets global standards.”
Dr. Archana Sinha, Secretary of the Central Insecticide Board and Registration Committee, emphasized the need for policies that equally benefit farmers, the industry, and consumers. She highlighted steps taken to simplify pesticide registration processes and establish Maximum Residue Limits through crop grouping and rationalized guidelines.
The conference welcomed various FPOs and NGOs, representing over 35,000 farmers associated with the National Sustainable Spice Programme (NSSP), WSO’s flagship initiative promoting sustainable spice cultivation and market access for small-scale farmers. The event reinforced the potential of FPOs to access global markets through sustainable practices and advanced technologies, ensuring a promising future for the Indian spice industry.
