Buyer-seller meet for NE spices

A four-day-long Buyer Seller Meet, organized by Spices Board India exclusively for spices grown in the seven North Eastern states of the country, started here today.

The meet, themed ‘Spectacle Spices of the North East’, is the first ever marketing and market linkage platform for spices and spice products from the region.

It is  held at the College of Veterinary Science Play Ground, Khanapara, Guwahati, from January 6 to 9. Around 50 entities, representing primarily spice growers and growers’ societies and from processors from the North Eastern region, are participating in the meet.

More than 30 traders and exporters from different parts of the country are also attending  the programme.  An array of quality spices which are indigenous to the North Eastern Region, such as the Lakadong Turmeric, Nadia Ginger, Bhot Jalokia (King Chilly) and Birds Eye Chilly, are showcased at the meet.

The seven sister states of North Eastern India are home to a variety of spice crops. ‘Lakadong Turmeric’ which has the highest curcumin content at 7.6% is indigenous to the Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya. Arunachal Pradesh is fast emerging as the second largest player in the cultivation and production of large cardamom.

Black Pepper is abundantly grown amidst the vast tea gardens of Assam and the Garo Hills region of Meghalaya. A variety of chilli peppers ranging from the famed ‘Bhot Jalokia (King Chilly)’ to the shining tiny red Bird’s Eye Chillies grow in profusion in the North Eastern Region.

The North East has a spectrum of ginger varieties which suit both industrial and culinary purposes. Nadia Ginger of the region is known for its relatively lower fibre and higher oil and oleoresin content. The favourable agro-climatic conditions and the region’s slightly acidic soil, which is bestowed with rich organic matters, is suitable for the cultivation of spices.

The meet is being organized in association with the third Assam International Agri Horti Show 2016, one of the state’s major annual B2C cum B2B events which brings together industries like horticulture, floriculture, agriculture, food processing and technology. The Spices Board has set up a stall at the expo.

 The Assam International Agri Horti Show was inaugurated by Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Tarun Gogoi today.