The commerce ministry is setting up spices farmers producer companies (SFPCs) on pilot basis in Arunachal Pradesh to help small and marginal farmers get better prices for produce.

The SFPCs would help farmers get better prices through post harvest management, primary processing, value addition, packing, aggregation and organic certification.

Each SFPC will have 500 farmers as members in a sub- division or district, a commerce and industry ministry release said.

The farmers will be identified on cluster basis in a village, taluk or district by forming Farmer Interest Group, each consisting of 20 farmers. 25 such FIGs will be formed to establish a SFPC.

Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will inaugurate an orientation programme for establishment of SFPCs and buyer seller meet tomorrow in Arunachal Pradesh.

“This is a Government of India’s initiative to benefit small and marginal spice farmers in the north eastern states,” the Ministry said.

Over 100 spice farmers, NGOs, farmers association, primary processors from Arunachal Pradesh and 35 big exporters from across the country will participate in the day long event.

The objective of the programme is to operationalise SFPC on pilot basis in three districts, it said.

The move would help farmers as the north eastern states are major producers of different spices including cardamom, ginger.

Source: Business Standard