Capacity Building Training Programme On Spices Organized By ICAR-CCARI
Capacity Building Training Programme On Spices Organized By ICAR-CCARI
The ICAR-Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR-CCARI), Goa in collaboration with the Spices Board in Ponda, jointly organized a three-day capacity-building programme on spices from November 26 to 28, 2025 at ICAR-CCARI, Goa.
During the inaugural address, Dr. Parveen Kumar, the Director of ICAR-CCARI, emphasized the potential for expanding spice cultivation in Goa. Dr. Kumar highlighted that these crops are well suited for plantation based cropping systems to increase their income and livelihood of the farmers.
Shri Sandeep Fol Dessai, the Director of Agriculture for the Government of Goa, served as the chief guest. He highlighted Goa's unique biodiversity and the potential for cultivating spices such as black pepper, nutmeg, cinnamon, turmeric and ginger within the Kulagar farming system.
Shri M. Y. Honnur, Deputy Director of the Spices Board (Regional Office for Karnataka and Goa), was the guest of honour and he discussed the high export potential of spices and highlighted the need to empower women through value-added products.
Dr. N. Bommayasamy, Senior Scientist and Head of the KVK in North Goa, provided insights on producing high-quality spice products for export without adulteration.
Shri Deepak Jolly George, Officer in Charge of the Spices Board in Ponda, Goa, concluded the inaugural function with a vote of thanks.
Throughout the three-day program, expert scientists delivered a series of lectures (15) on the production, processing, and value addition of spices of black pepper, nutmeg, cinnamon, kokum, turmeric, ginger, chilli are predominantly grown in Goa. Hands on training was also provided to farmers on how to produce quality planting materials, peeling cinnamon bark, as well as preparation of vermicompost.
During the valedictory program, Dr. Parveen Kumar, Director, ICAR-CCARI chaired the session and reiterated that value-added spices command premium prices in the market and can significantly improve the livelihoods of farmers and self-help groups (SHGs).
About 32 scheduled tribe farmers were participated in the event and expressed their gratitude to ICAR-CCARI for organizing the capacity-building program.
The event was coordinated by Shri Deepak Jolly George, Assistant Director, Spices Board, Divisional Office, Shivamogga, Karnataka and Dr. Akula Chinapolaiah, Dr. N. Bommayasamy, Dr. Shripad Bhut and Mr. Omar de Souza at ICAR-CCARI, Goa.