Odisha government urged to prepare spice development plan

Bhubaneswar, Feb 14:

The Orissa Coffee Growers’ Association (OCGA) has urged the Odisha government to prepare a comprehensive spice development programme as there is enough potential for growing various spice crops in some pockets of the state.

“There is huge potential for expanding cultivation of certain high value spices in the state. It is a fact that Kerala is the state which has been largely benefiting from cultivation of several high value spices. There is a possibility of making a mini Kerala here,” said OGCA secretary L.P. Deo in a letter to the horticulture director.

He said that the association has urged the Directorate of Arecanut and Spices Development functioning under the ministry of agriculture and the Spices Board, Cochin, to draw up a comprehensive plan for the cultivation of the crop in the state.

The association has also urged the state government to boost pepper production in Odisha. IANS