The Spices Board of India has announced the launch of a new initiative titled SPICED (Sustainability in Spice Sector through Progressive, Innovative and Collaborative Interventions for Export Development) for the fiscal year 2025&ndash;26. The scheme aims to strengthen the spice sector by offering financial assistance across the value chain &mdash; from cultivation to international trade &mdash; with a focus on enhancing production, quality, and export potential.
The scheme is designed to increase the productivity of small and large cardamom, improve post-harvest quality standards, and encourage the export of value-added, organic, and GI-tagged spices. It also seeks to help stakeholders comply with international food safety and phytosanitary regulations while building capacity throughout the supply chain.
Online applications for the SPICED scheme will open on May 26. Exporters can apply under the scheme&rsquo;s export development and promotion category until June 30, while farmers and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) can submit applications under other development-related components until September 30.
SPICED provides financial support for the replanting and rejuvenation of cardamom plantations, development of water resources, micro-irrigation systems, and promotion of organic farming practices. It also includes assistance for installing improved post-harvest processing equipment such as dryers, slicers, dehullers, polishers, turmeric boilers, mint distillation units, threshers, and grading machines, ensuring higher quality products for the market.
To help farmers and exporters access international opportunities, the scheme also supports participation in trade fairs, buyer-seller meets, and global market linkage events. First-time exporters and small businesses are given special priority under the program to help promote Indian spices more effectively on the world stage.
India remains the world's leading producer and exporter of spices. In the fiscal year 2023&ndash;24, the country exported spices worth $4.46 billion, with exports from April to December 2024 amounting to ₹29,016 crore (approximately $3.36 billion). Spice production has steadily increased, reaching 12 million metric tonnes in FY24 compared to 11.14 million tonnes in FY23.
Additionally, India witnessed a 35 percent rise in the export of organic food products during FY25, reaching $665.96 million (around ₹5,700 crore), up from $494.80 million in 2023&ndash;24. With SPICED, the government aims to further consolidate India&rsquo;s global leadership in the spice trade while supporting sustainable practices and rural livelihoods.

The new SPICED scheme offers financial aid to farmers and exporters to enhance spice production, quality, and global market reach

India Launches SPICED Scheme to Boost Spice Exports and Support Farmers

The new SPICED scheme offers financial aid to farmers and exporters to enhance spice production, quality, and global market reach

May 22, 2025 | 14:39 IST