Latest news with #SpicesBoardofIndia
Time of India
7 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
A decade on, Spices Park fails to spice up exports
Vijayawada: Spices Park in Guntur has been lying in a neglected state for the past decade. Spread over just 125 acres, the Spices Park was envisioned as an international hub for spices, particularly chillies. However, the park has failed to attract even 30 industries due to lack of sustained focus. Experts believe it has the potential to become another Sri City if properly promoted by the state government. The Spices Park was a well-conceived initiative aimed at empowering farmers by enabling direct market linkages with exporters, thereby helping them secure better prices for their produce. Designed to provide common infrastructure facilities for processing, value addition, and storage, the park was meant to serve the farming community in the region. Facilities for cleaning, grading, and packing were expected to ensure higher quality produce, resulting in better market prices. The Spices Board of India established the park on the outskirts of Guntur city across 125 acres, with the objective of creating a value chain ecosystem and establishing market linkages for chilli farmers. The park was inaugurated in 2015, with the Centre and state governments spending around Rs 20 crore to set up essential infrastructure. However, the park is currently languishing in darkness, with no proper street lighting, damaged roads, and a lack of drinking water. Despite its potential, neither the Centre nor the state governments took adequate steps to promote the park as a major hub for chilli and spice-related exports. Even a decade after its formal launch, only about 20–30 units are operating from the park, leaving it among the most neglected industrial estates. While the Spices Board allotted land to 18 exporters for setting up processing units, only five have completed construction, while seven others are still in progress. The AP State Warehousing Corporation (APSWC) has established two cold storages with a total capacity of 13,000 MT and a warehouse with a 10,000 MT capacity, spanning 16 plots. This infrastructure came at an outlay of Rs 60 crore. "We have brought the issue to the attention of the state government, seeking additional incentives to attract investment to the park," said chillies exporter Venkateswara Rao. GFX Export Potential Remains Untapped Spices Board had developed plots in the park to lease out to the private entrepreneurs to establish processing unit The Board has divided the total area of 93.42 acres into 58 plots, out of which 49 plots have been allotted to 18 entrepreneurs for establishment of private processing units Infrastructure including internal roads, drainage facility created by the board was completely damaged Drinking water facility was not available in the park
Hindustan Times
21-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Government to promote Indian tea with local spices
NEW DELHI: The government has asked its agencies, the Tea Board of India and the Spices Board of India to join hands in marketing Brand India globally, a senior official said on Wednesday. Commerce secretary Sunil Barthwal on Wednesday said he has directed the Tea Board to evolve a strategy to market the domestic tea industry in a big way. He also spoke about promoting 'tea literacy' through various promotional and awareness programmes so that people better appreciate the various specialities and nuances of Indian tea. The two boards come under the commerce and industry ministry. He also directed the Tea Board to explore the possibility of launching certification courses in tea tasting with an aim to skill the youth, and promote tourism in the sector. 'The Tea Board is trying to take steps to establish a centre for tea tasting certification courses in the country,' Barthwal said at the International Tea Day Convention held at Vanijya Bhawan. International Tea Day is observed on May 21. The government is keen to promote the tea industry in a big way. Commerce minister Piyush Goyal, who is currently visiting the United States, said in a post on X: 'Most of us cannot imagine a morning without our cup of tea. I am one of them! The strong flavour, mixed with aromatic spices and just enough sweetness, will get you ready to face the day. We owe this morning's magic potion to the countless hardworking tea growers across the country who have made India one of the top tea producers and key global exporters of tea. From our gardens spread across the north-east to the south, India's tea tells a story of tradition and taste. This #InternationalTeaDay, we pledge to make Indian tea an indispensable part of homes globally.' A second official said the tea sector has tremendous export potential and grew 11% to $920 million in FY25 on an annualised basis. Assam, West Bengal, Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu and Kerala, are major tea producing states. Over 80% of the tea produced in the country is consumed domestically. Main varieties of Indian tea include Darjeeling, Assam, Nilgiri, and Kangra. Minister of State for Commerce & Industry Jitin Prasada emphasised the importance of tea in the socio-economic fabric of the country and the need to explore innovative avenues of branding and marketing Indian teas, so as to reinforce its position as a world leader in tea export. He exhorted the Indian tea industry to achieve greater heights in the export scenario and to reinvent itself with new and innovative varieties of teas, especially targeted towards the youth and niche markets. He also stressed on the fact that we need to ensure the best facilities for all the stakeholders in the entire supply chain from the grower to the consumer.
