The Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) in Coimbatore, in partnership with the Spices Board of Kochi, organized a unique meet for sellers and buyers of aromatic products, emphasizing the promotion of aromatic crop cultivation and value-added products.
Coimbatore: A significant event for sellers and buyers of aromatic products was held at the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) on February 15, in collaboration with the Kochi Spices Board and the Commercial Development Directorate of TNAU. The opening ceremony featured T. Sathyan, Secretary of the Spices Board, as the special guest, with Deputy Director Dr. V. Geethalakshmi presiding over the event.
Dr. Geethalakshmi highlighted the university's efforts to economically uplift farmers through various initiatives, including encouraging the cultivation of nutmeg as an intercrop among coconut farmers for increased revenue. Following this, research on the cultivation of saffron in Tamil Nadu's hilly regions is underway, in collaboration with the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Kashmir. This includes importing seed tubers from Kashmir and conducting trials in Ooty, Kodaikanal, Yercaud, and Thadiyangudisai (Vathalagundu) to compare the quality and viability of saffron grown in Kashmir versus that in Tamil Nadu.
The event also focused on promoting the production of aromatic products like rosemary in the Thalavadi region and efforts to obtain geographical indication (GI) tags for regional specialties such as Kanyakumari clove, Erode turmeric, Alleppey green cardamom, Malabar pepper, Ramanathapuram mundu chilli, and Kodaikanal hill garlic. Applications have been submitted for the GI tag for Virudhunagar samba chilli, Vilathikulam mundu chilli dry, and Karamadai curry leaves.
The meet saw participation from A.P. Rema Sree, Director of the Spices Board, E. Somasundaram, Director of Commercial Development, along with farmers and traders of aromatic crops, highlighting the importance of aromatic crop cultivation and the potential for value-added products in enhancing the economic status of farmers.
Dr. Geethalakshmi highlighted the university's efforts to economically uplift farmers through various initiatives, including encouraging the cultivation of nutmeg as an intercrop among coconut farmers for increased revenue. Following this, research on the cultivation of saffron in Tamil Nadu's hilly regions is underway, in collaboration with the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Kashmir. This includes importing seed tubers from Kashmir and conducting trials in Ooty, Kodaikanal, Yercaud, and Thadiyangudisai (Vathalagundu) to compare the quality and viability of saffron grown in Kashmir versus that in Tamil Nadu.
The event also focused on promoting the production of aromatic products like rosemary in the Thalavadi region and efforts to obtain geographical indication (GI) tags for regional specialties such as Kanyakumari clove, Erode turmeric, Alleppey green cardamom, Malabar pepper, Ramanathapuram mundu chilli, and Kodaikanal hill garlic. Applications have been submitted for the GI tag for Virudhunagar samba chilli, Vilathikulam mundu chilli dry, and Karamadai curry leaves.
The meet saw participation from A.P. Rema Sree, Director of the Spices Board, E. Somasundaram, Director of Commercial Development, along with farmers and traders of aromatic crops, highlighting the importance of aromatic crop cultivation and the potential for value-added products in enhancing the economic status of farmers.