4.1. Establishment of Microrhizome based disease free Ginger seed production facility in different states
The ‘National Consultative Meet on ginger and turmeric planting material production’ held in 2014 had recommended to establish a production system for planting material of ginger and turmeric which can ensure freedom from disease and maintain the purity in the planting material produced for distribution to farmers. Based on this recommendation, DASD had implemented the programme for microrhizome production in these crops at three different centres viz. KAU, IISR & TNAU in 2016-17 and continued in selected centres till 2023-24. The disease free seedlings / rhizomes produced under this programme has been distributed to progressive farmers for field level multiplication.
This programme gives financial support to culture ginger micro rhizome plants which is used for disease free seed production in ginger. It is expected to raise 25,000 nos of ginger micro rhizomes in each lab which can give rise to 25 tonnes of ginger seed.
4.2Development and demonstration of Top Shoot Production Model for Black Pepper
Black pepper is one of the most traded spices globally, with India holding a premium position due to its superior quality. However, productivity in India remains significantly lower (400–500 kg/ha) compared to countries like Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brazil, where it exceeds 1500 kg/ha due to adoption of modern cultivation practices and the use of superior planting materials—especially rooted orthotropic (top) shoots. In India, there is an increasing demand for disease-free, high-quality top shoots (for vine pepper) and lateral shoots (for bush pepper), but supply remains inadequate. The traditional practice of collecting shoots from yielding plantations affects productivity. To address this gap, the Directorate proposes to demonstrate a low-cost, high-density top shoot production model in collaboration with Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) at the Panniyur Research Station, Kannur.
The project aims to standardize planting density, nutrient schedules, and harvesting intervals for optimal production of orthotropic and plagiotropic shoots. About 640 mother plants will be established on a one-acre plot, planted on concrete supports of different heights (6 ft and 12 ft), following KAU-recommended nutrient practices. The model will facilitate year-round shoot production and act as a replicable unit for commercial nurseries. The project is expected to generate approximately 16,000 orthotropic shoots and 6,400 plagiotropic shoots annually, significantly boosting the availability of quality planting material. Once standardized, this model will help meet the growing demand for elite planting materials, enhance the distribution of high-yielding varieties, and support income generation for nurseries and farmers.
4.3. Value Chain study of Cinnamon
Cinnamon (Cinnamomumzeylanicum) is a high-value spice with diverse applications in the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical sectors, owing to its potent bioactive compounds including cinnamaldehyde and cinnamic acid. Despite its numerous health benefits and strong market demand, cinnamon cultivation in India remains limited, with only about 200 hectares under cultivation and domestic production of just 100 tonnes. As a result, India imports large quantities of cassia, cheaper substitute for cinnamon, amounting to around 37,814 tonnes in 2023–24, leading to a substantial foreign exchange drain of ₹789 crore.
Recognizing the potential of this crop for import substitution and sustainable cultivation, particularly as an intercrop in coconut plantations DASD, in collaboration with ICAR-CPCRI, has developed and demonstrated successful intercropping models and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for production and processing. To scale up these efforts and inform future interventions, DASD proposes to conduct a comprehensive value chain study of cinnamon in India. The study will cover key regions including Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and the North Eastern states, and will examine existing cultivation practices, post-harvest handling, processing infrastructure, market dynamics, and stakeholder roles. The findings will guide strategic policy recommendations to enhance productivity, support farmer producer organizations (FPOs), improve value addition and processing, and strengthen domestic and export market integration.
4.4. Rejuvenation of Cochin Ginger and Alleppey Finger Turmeric for export promotion
The Directorate has been implementing a three-year project titled “Rejuvenation of Cochin Ginger (CG) and Alleppey Finger Turmeric (AFT) for Export Promotion”, initiated in 2022–23. The project aims to address the growing demand for high-quality ginger and turmeric in global markets by identifying, purifying, and promoting elite genotypes of Cochin Ginger and AFT—two Kerala-based spice types known for their superior aroma, curcumin/volatile oil content, and export potential. Despite strong demand, availability of these types in pure form remains limited due to unorganized cultivation and admixture issues. The project targets to revive and standardize production through characterization, quality analysis, multiplication, and promotion of elite types in farmer clusters.
In the first two years, the Directorate, in collaboration with Kerala Agricultural University, State Agriculture Department, export houses and Spices Board, conducted extensive surveys, quality analysis, and field multiplication trials. Four elite CG genotypes (CG-22, CG-31, CG-44, CG-47) and three AFT genotypes (AFT-19, AFT-31, AFT-39) were identified based on multi-location trials and biochemical profiling. However, due to climatic variation in the second season, further evaluation and multiplication were required to validate and stabilize curcumin and volatile oil content. During 2024-25 based on the biochemical profiling CG 47 and AFT 31 were identified true CG and AFT types.For the year 2025–26, the Directorate proposes to extend the programme to complete the following activities: (i) Evaluation and biochemical characterization of elite AFT genotypes, (ii) Repeat trial of elite CG genotypes and germplasm survey in hotspot areas like Idukki, and (iii) Mass multiplication of selected elite types in farmers’ fields across Idukki and Kottayam. The total financial requirement for carrying out these activities is Rs.11.00 lakhs, which includes costs for consultant and research assistant support, seed material, quality analysis, field development, labour, and contingencies.
4.5 Establishment of FLD for Identification and Genetic Purification of ByadgiChilli Cultivars
DASD is implementing a three-year programme titled “Identification and Genetic Purification of ByadgiChilli Cultivars” in association with the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Dharwad. The initiative was launched in 2023–24 to address the growing concerns over the genetic erosion and heterogeneity of Byadgichilli—an internationally recognized traditional cultivar with Geographical Indication (GI) status known for its high colour value, mild pungency, and oleoresin content. Due to the semi-allogamous nature of chilli and years of unscientific seed-saving practices, the true-to-type Byadgi cultivar has become rare and is being replaced by inferior types, severely affecting quality and export potential.
In the initial phase, seeds of both ByadgiKaddi and Dabbi types were collected from traditional chilli-growing areas and transplanted under controlled field conditions. Purification was attempted through selfing and bagging, and initial selections were made based on fruit and plant traits. While selfing success was low due to physiological flower/fruit drop, promising genotypes were identified and are currently being evaluated through replicated yield trials. The purification work will be continued, and selected elite lines will be evaluated for uniformity and yield during the upcoming kharif season. This programme is critical to reviving and restoring the genetic purity of the Byadgi cultivar and supplying farmers with high-quality planting material for sustainable and premium-value chillicultivation. It is expected to make an initial release of this purified Byadagi seeds to the farmers by this year end.
4.6 Establishment of polyclonal garden of Cinnamon (Cinnamomumverum)
The Directorate is implementing a three-year project (2024–25 to 2026–27) for the establishment of a polyclonal garden of Cinnamomumverum in one acre, with the objective of producing high-quality planting materials through controlled cross-pollination among selected elite genotypes and released varieties in association with the Kerala Agri University. As per the approved project, a comprehensive survey was conducted in cinnamon-growing areas of Kerala during the first year to identify superior accessions, which were then evaluated and propagated vegetatively. Land preparation, planting of procured rooted layers from ICAR-CIARI, Sri Vijayapuram, and Dr. BSKKV, Dapoli, and construction of a rain shelter for propagation were also completed.
As cinnamon plants flower only after the third year, the second year focuses on the continuation of accession evaluation, vegetative propagation, biochemical analysis (including coumarin content), planting of additional varieties, and maintenance of the established field.
4.7 Crop Survey in seed Spices to assess the production prospects
The prices of seed spices are highly volatile which affect the farmers adversely and can lead to disruption of farm income. The forecast on area under cultivation and production of seed spices will be helpful to the farmers for knowing the price situation and thus to plan the marketing strategies for better income. This will also help govtto take suitable decision according to the supply situation of the crop. Advance information about the crop prospects of commodities is of considerable importance from the trade point of view as well as for formulation of future development programmes.The Directorate propose to conduct pre-harvest crop surveys for seed spices like coriander, cumin, fennel and fenugreek with an objective to assess the crop prospects of these seed spices during the ensuing crop season (2024-25 Rabi Season) in association with Federation of Indian Spice Stakeholders (FISS) located at Unjha, Gujarat.The information will be collected through personal interview of the farmers, based on a pre-designed interview schedule, in the major seed spices growing districts of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat States.The financial requirement for transportation (more than 50 districts which spread across the three different States to be covered) and remuneration for data collection, training for enumerators, data analysis etc is estimated as Rs 20 lakhs. Out of this, Directorate proposes to share Rs 5 lakhs and the remaining Rs 15 lakhs will be met by the associating agency (FISS).
4.8 Demonstration of pesticide-free cumin production for Export
Cumin (Cuminumcyminum L.) is one of India’s most significant export-oriented spice crops, with India contributing over 70% of the world’s production. In 2023-24, India produced 8.95 lakh tonnes of cumin from 13.0 lakh hectares. However, cumin exports have faced increasing scrutiny due to pesticide residue issues, particularly in the European and US markets. Rejections and quality concerns have underscored the urgent need for residue-free production aligned with international food safety standards.
To address this, the Directorate proposes a targeted intervention for the promotion of pesticide-free cumin production over 100 hectares in major cumin-producing districts of Rajasthan during 2025–26. This will be implemented in collaboration with ICAR-NRCSS, Ajmer and leading Cumin Export House based on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) developed by NRCSS. The model follows a shared-cost approach, wherein farmers contribute 50% of the total cost (₹25,000/ha), and the remaining 50% (₹25,000/ha) will be jointly met by DASD and exporter house.
The initiative aims to demonstrate scalable, sustainable cumin production models with traceability, improved quality, and reduced chemical usage. It will directly benefit the progressive farmers and enhance India’s credibility in the international cumin trade.