Chilli farmers and traders are likely to benefit from value addition efforts of the Spices Board, with the construction of a spices park in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh. The spices park at Guntur, the largest chilli market in Asia, is expected to help in bringing more revenue by value addition of whole spices. The proposed park will bring warehousing, processing, packing, and branding under a single roof, board sources said. Common facilities are expected to bring down expenses to a great extent. The foundation stone for the park will be laid by the chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, YS Rajasekhara Reddy on Thursday at Mydavolu village of Edlapadu Mandal in Guntur district.
The board also envisages greater stake to farmers through formation of park based collectives that can also help in futures trading. “By storing and pooling the commodities in accredited warehouses, the farmers’ power in getting credit and hedging, improves dramatically,” board source said. The board has plans to establish more such parks in major spices producing regions of the nation, so that more revenue generating efforts like processing and packing takes place more in the nation itself.
It is estimated that Andhra Pradesh contributes 75% of chilli exports, 57% of turmeric exports, and 5% of other spices like tamarind and coriander. Guntur district alone contributes to over 35% in area under chilli crop in India. Chilli accounts for 40% of the total spices exported from India and 23% in terms of value. The park will be set up in an area of 124.78 acre with an initial investment of Rs 25 crore.
In addition, the board will also provide an excellent analytical laboratory to undertake analytical services and also to impart training on both pre and post harvest operations in spices to all sections of the trade.