Development Of Spices In North Eastern States
 
Working Procedure
Production Of Organic Pepper
As per the X Plan proposal, an extent of 3,835 ha. (at an outlay of Rs. 433.00 lakhs) is to be covered under the programme for Organic Production of Pepper in the North Eastern States. Board had already taken up programmes for multiplication of pepper rooted cuttings through 3 rapid multiplication units during the year, 2001-02 with the co-operation of 3 NGOs; 2 near Guwahati in Assam and one in Meghalaya. Efforts were also made for locating other NGOs or agencies willing to participate in similar programme. Owing to climatic factors beyond control, especially on account of torrential rain and flood affecting the RMUs, there was a set back in the production of required planting materials and efforts have been made for rehabilitating the units and the work is progressing. It is expected that only about one lakh planting materials would be available during the ensuing season. Since, required planting materials could not be generated as expected, the programme is now rescheduled as follows:-
Year
Physical Target(in ha.)
Planting material production cost (Rs. in lakhs)
Subsidy cost (Rs. in lakhs)
Financial Target(Rs. in lakhs)
2003-04
50
4.00
2.00
6.00
2004-05
200
16.00
9.00
25.00
2005-06
1000
80.00
45.00
125.00
2006-07
2585
206.00
71.00
277.00
Total
3835
306.00
127.00
433.00
The following are the tentative targets for the Tea Estates:-
Assam 750 + 500 (Tea Estate) + 500 (large farms)
Total 1750 ha.
Arunachal Pradesh 500 ha.
Tripura 500 ha.
Manipur 700 ha.
Nagaland 500 ha.
Meghalaya 500 ha.
Sikkim 50 ha

1.
Planting materials are proposed to be multiplied in all the above North Eastern States with the help of State Departments, NGOs and individuals.
2.
Area suited for cultivation and beneficiaries would be selected with the help of State Departments/NGOs.
3.
In order to facilitate effective supervision, organic certification, marketing the planting will be taken up in contiguous areas / compact blocks in two or three villages in different blocks to begin with and surrounding villages can be covered later.
4.
Each farmer should take up planting of a minimum of 100 standards (200 rooted cuttings 0.1 ha. and a maximum of 4 ha.). Planting materials will be provided by the Spices Board from the PRMUs and the cost will be adjusted against the subsidy. Prior arrangements will be made for organic certification by the Spices Board and the cost will be paid by the Spices Board from the amount earmarked for subsidy.
5.
Spices Board would also give assistance to the farmers for production of inputs like vermicompost, trichoderma etc. with the help of Governmental agencies / NGOs. A separate scheme for production of Vermicompost is operated by the Board and the farmers who are selected under this scheme will be allotted Vermicompost units under the scheme.
6.
Cost of inputs like trichoderma, bio pesticides & fungicides etc. would be deducted from the subsidy.
7.
Farmers who are willing to participate in the scheme for a minimum period of 10 years will only be selected and an undertaking in writing has to be submitted along with the application. Operations are to be carried out strictly as per NSOP standards.
8.
Accredited inspection and certifying agencies would be contacted for taking up organic certification well in time and the payment towards certification will be paid by the Spices Board.
9.
The grant-in-aid will be provided in the form of planting materials and inputs like trichoderma, bio pesticides & fungicides etc. and for meeting the cost of certification. If there is any fund in excess after meeting the above, it would be paid to the beneficiaries during the second year.
10.
NGOs having very good past records / reputation would be selected wherever the scheme cannot be implemented by the Spices Board’s officials. A retention fee of Rs. 25,000/- would be paid per year to the NGO selected under the scheme and the payment will be effected from the subsidy earmarked in the scheme.
11.
Wherever NGOs are engaged, the farmers should sign an MOU with the NGO and the NGO with the Spices Board. Regarding the willingness to participate in the scheme and regarding the willingness to continue organic farming practices for a minimum period of 10 years, ie. the scheme period and beyond.
12.
Spices Board does not take the responsibility for marketing of the produce or assure any floor / minimum price. However, Board would provide market information and act as a facilitator to organize farmer – trader meetings.