Pepper farmers want Spices Board to continue procurement during lockdown
May 24, 2021
The board has also been urged to inquire into the reports of higher imports of Sri Lankan pepper under SAFTA
Pepper farmers have sought the intervention of the Spices Board in ensuring the procurement of spices and marketing it to processors, dealers and end-users to meet the industry requirements.
They point out to the curbs on aggregators and dealers of spices, especially in Idukki and Wayanad, who are not permitted to open their shops during the lockdown. The State Industries department has permitted processing units to function, as spices fall under the food industry and are export related. However, the processing units are finding difficulties in meeting the domestic demand from masala manufacturers without the availability of raw materials.