Guwahati: The Spices Board of India has prepared a roadmap for export-oriented development of the spices sector in Assam.

As part of it, the board is looking to work closely with the State government for setting up a spices park and a quality evaluation laboratory (QEL), besides tapping the potential for direct spice export from Assam, and promoting local Gl registered products.

"The prospect for the spices sector is immense in Assam. The spices grown in the State are organic by default. Assam is the leading producer of ginger in India. High curcumin varieties of turmeric are available here, in addition to different types of chilli, as well as organic black pepper and best quality Tejpat. There is also scope for commercial level cultivation of cinnamon, garlic, and mustard," said a source.

The source said Assam has over 115 registered exporters of spices and the margin on such products is very high.

"The board has prepared a roadmap for export-oriented development of the sector in Assam. This includes the setting up of a spices park and signature stall at the horticulture farm at Kathiatoli, for which a proposal has been sent to the State government for securing 10 hectares of land. The board will set up a QEL at Guwahati dedicated for high-quality testing of spices and the Chief Minister recently announced that land for it will be allotted in Guwahati," the source said. The board's plan also includes holding spices exporters registration fairs in conjunction with other departments and government agencies.

"There is a need for an action plan for direct export of products from Assam via the Inland Container Depot at Amingaon and the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport to overseas markets. For this purpose, discussions will be held with stakeholders of this region. In addition, the board also believes that schemes for facilitating organic certification of spices in Assam could go a long way in ensuring export-oriented development of such products. The cost of organic certification by private accredited agencies is high and establishment of State-owned organic certification agencies will be useful," said the source.

The board will promote Gl registered spices of Assam and provide input to the State government for the development of spices clusters for export.