Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), in collaboration with the Spices Board, Erode, conducted a three-day Capacity Building Programme on spices cultivation and value addition technologies for farmers at TNAU from February 18 to 20.

N. Anandaraja, Professor and Head, Training Division, Directorate of Extension Education (DoEE), TNAU, highlighted the key aspects of the training programme and provided an overview of spice production and productivity in Tamil Nadu.

Inaugurating the event, Irene Vedamoni, Dean, Horticultural College and Research Institute (HC&RI), TNAU, stressed the significance of spices cultivation and marketing. She elaborated on TNAU’s initiatives to strengthen agricultural markets and spoke about the university’s Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO) linkage programme, which supports 112 FPOs across the State.

Rajashree, Professor and Head, Department of Spices, HC&RI, shared insights into emerging opportunities in the spices market. K. Kanagadeelipan, Assistant Director, Spices Board, Erode, outlined the various schemes available for spice cultivation. Around 30 farmers from Kollimalai participated in the programme.

The training covered classroom and interactive sessions, along with exposure visits. Experts and entrepreneurs delivered lectures on topics such as turmeric, pepper, and nutmeg cultivation, organic farming practices, bio-resource technologies, social media for spices marketing, integrated pest and disease management, export strategies, value addition techniques, and business development.

At the valedictory session on February 20, P.P. Murugan, Director of Extension Education, TNAU, distributed certificates to participants and released a book on spices cultivation and post-harvest technologies. He underscored the importance of marketing spice products and the role of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in enhancing farmers’ entrepreneurial skills.