Page 14 - FMT Magazine, September 2020

Ingredients

Spices from North

East for Commercial

Exploitation

By Subhas Bhattacharjee*

INTRODUCTION actively contribute to the betterment of the population of north east,
North Eastern Region (NER) of of farm incomes, reduce poverty prosperity of the region hinges on
India has an ocean of opportunity, and speed up the overall economic the processing of agro-horticultural
resources and unexplored potential growth, but due to multitude of produce and production to value
when it comes to agriculture & challenges at several levels, the true added products.
horticulture. Region is blessed with potential of the region is not getting
several comparative advantages realized and the region has not grown NE Region has conducive agro-
like fertile soils, favorable climatic as fast as it should have. Realizing climatic conditions for the
conditions, rich biodiversity, forest that agriculture & Horticulture as production of high-valued spices like
wealth, educated manpower as the main occupation of the majority Turmeric, Ginger, King Chillies (Naga
well as a geographically strategic Chilli), Bird’s eye chilli (Mizo Chilies),
location acting as a gateway to the Bay leaves and Large Cardamom.
South East Asian countries. It is the IN THE PRESENT Spices grown are naturally organic
hub of organic & exotic produces, SCENARIO, or by default. Region is the largest
spices & herbs & is a basket full of INFRASTRUCTURE & producer of Large Cardamom in
opportunities for the unusual. India (more than 90%) and largest
INDUSTRY PRESENCE germplasm conservatory of large
With its proximity to south East FOR PROCESSING AND cardamom in the world; largest
Asian markets, being home to VALUE ADDITION OF producer of Ginger in India (more
diverse & exotic variety of fruits & SPICES IS MINIMAL than 40% of total production of the
spices, this region could emerge as HENCE FARMERS ARE country) and high curcumin varieties
a major Centre of agribusiness & of Turmeric (Lakadong turmeric);
can command a high price both in FORCED TO SELL THEIR high pungent Chilli grown in India is
domestic & international market. FRESH/ RAW PRODUCES the King chilli, Bird’s eye chilli also
Though it has all the potential to AT LOW PRICES. known as Mizo Chilli, Dalle khursani

Food Marketing & Technology 14 September 2020