The area under Cardamom cultivation along with the annual production in the country during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise, is at Annexure-I.

Directorate of Arecanut & Spices Development (DASD) has reported that the Cardamom plantation sector has been affected due to the outbreak of COVID 19 and consequent lockdown and restrictions imposed to contain the spread of the pandemic.

The major issues faced by the sector were the non- availability of migrant labourers, and marketing facilities including logistics due to the restrictions in movement coupled with the decline in the commercial activities across the globe. As the restrictions are relaxed by the Government the situation is coming back to normal.

In order to support the Cardamom farmers for selling their produce, the Spices Board India under Commerce Ministry has initiated steps and restarted the e-auction for cardamom by following the covid protocol. The Board has formulated standard operational procedures (SOP) for the small and large Cardamom sectors covering all aspects from production to marketing, to ensure the safety of stakeholders.

The Spices Board has released an advisory on the diligent use of pesticides and practicing the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for the cardamom farmers. In view of the COVID situation, social media group of farmers were created for online dissemination of information on scientific cultivation practices and other cultural operations. Online webinars are being conducted at the field level to help the farmers and to address the issues in the sector.

DASD has reported that the Spices Board is implementing two schemes viz., for Small Cardamom and Large Cardamom. In the Small Cardamom scheme, assistance is provided for Re-planting (upto 8 Hectare) Irrigation and Land Development, Improved Cardamom Curing Devices, Supply of kits, Bee-keeping Boxes, Mechanization and Extension Advisory Services.

Under the Large Cardamom scheme, assistance is provided for Re-plantation of large Cardamom plantations, New planting, Production of Quality Planning Material, Curing, Supply of Vermi Compost Unit, Mechanization and Quality improved training programmes, Extension Advisory Services, etc. The year-wise details of assistance provided under both the schemes as reported by Spices Board are at Annexure-II.

The DASD has reported that Cardamom production in the country has declined in 2018-19 and 2019-20 due to the unprecedented flood and subsequent prolonged dry spell experienced in the major Cardamom growing regions in the country, especially in the States of Kerala and Karnataka. Idukki, Wayanad, Palakkad and Kottayam Districts of Kerala and Kodagu, Hassan, Madigeri, Chickmagalure, Shimoga Districts of Karnataka were among the worst affected districts.

Further, Cardamom is a highly climate sensitive and location specific crop. Pest and disease incidence is also very high in Cardamom. Cardamom is grown mainly in high altitude areas and hence the scope for area expansion is limited.

DASD has reported that the Spices Board is encouraging farmers for area expansion of Cardamom in non-traditional areas. Large Cardamom has been cultivated in non-traditional areas like Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur with much more efforts of the Board.

New extension offices have been opened in North-East to assist the farmers. More emphasis is given to produce certified Cardamom seedling in flood affected areas of Cardamom belt of Karnataka. Rejuvenation scheme is implemented in the flood affected Cardamom growing areas of Kerala and Karnataka.

It is further reported that every year, the Spices Board is giving award with cash prize (Rs 1 lakh for first prize and Rs 50000 for second prize) and citation to the best Cardamom farmers to encourage the farmers in the field. Last year the Large Cardamom productivity award was won by a lady farmer from the border district of Arunachal Pradesh.

Due to the efforts by the Spices Board for area expansion in NE region, large areas in the border district of Arunachal Pradesh has been brought under Large Cardamom cultivation.

Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay SanraksHan Abhiyan’ (PM-AASHA) is an umbrella scheme to ensure Minimum Support Price (MSP) to farmers. It comprises the erstwhile Price Support Scheme (PSS) with certain modifications and rolling out of new schemes of Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS) and pilot of Private Procurement and Stockist Scheme (PPSS). Under PM-AASHA, States/UTs are offered to choose either PSS and PDPS in a given procurement season with respect to particular oilseeds crop for the entire State.

Pulses and Copra are procured under PSS. Only one scheme i.e. PSS or PDPS may be made operational in one State with respect to one commodity. Further, states have the option to roll out PPSS on pilot basis in district/selected APMCs of district involving the participation of private stockist for oilseeds.

Further, wheat paddy and coarse grains are procured under the existing schemes of Department of Food and Public Distribution and Cotton is procured under the existing schemes of Ministry of Textiles. It is helping farmers in getting increased MSP which provides adequate returns over the cost of production.

Government fixes MSP for 22 mandated crops which are paddy, jowar, bajra, maize, ragi, arhar, moong, urad, groundnut-in-shell, soyabean, sunflower, sesamum, nigerseed, cotton, wheat, barley, gram, masur(lentil), rapeseed/mustard, safflower, jute and copra. In addition, MSP of Toria and de-husked coconut are also fixed on the basis of the MSPs of rapeseed/mustard and copra respectively.

Since e-commerce and e-market opens up opportunities for firms, including major companies, traders & local businessmen, to reach newer markets and expand their area of operation, it is expected that it is going to benefit them significantly.

Though, no data is collected by the Government, on sales/profits made by various companies, exclusively due to expansion of e-markets. Representations have been received, wherein traders associations have informed that their business has been impacted by activities of large e-commerce companies.

During the lockdown, home delivery of goods was encouraged, in order to minimize the movement of individuals outside their homes, as per consolidated guidelines issued by Ministry of Home Affairs on March 28, 2020 and businesses have started home delivery of goods during this period.

The draft National e-commerce policy, which was placed in public domain on February 23, 2019, seeks to create a facilitative regulatory environment for growth of e-commerce sector.

It has been formulated with a vision to provide a level-playing field to all stakeholders, including the individual consumers, MSMEs and start-ups and promote exports, which will help small manufacturers.

More recently, the Consumer Protection (e-commerce) Rules, 2020 have been notified as on July 23, 2020, which provides a legal framework for all goods and services bought or sold over digital or electronic network, with a clear structure of liability borne by e-commerce entities and sellers.

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, DrJitendra Singh informed about the status of setting up of country’s second space rocket launching port by ISRO in Kulasekarapattinam, located in Tamil Nadu in a written reply in Lok Sabha.

As per the request of Department of Space, Government of Tamil Nadu has identified 961.66.90 hectares in Thoothukudi district.

Land survey is completed for 431.87.74 hectares and preliminary notification has been issued. Survey work for balance area is in advance stage.At present, one Launch Pad is being proposed at the second launch port at Kulasekarapattinam,Tamil Nadu.

Center’s policy decision of opening up of space sector for private players enables them to develop various space qualified subsystems and systems along with building of satellites and launch vehicles.

They are also permitted to establish facilities and provide launch services and other space based services. Many of these services and products will definitely find global customers, which will increase India’s share in the global space sector market.