PAMPORE: The 36th anniversary of Spices Board India was celebrated at India International Kashmir Saffron Trade Centre (IIKSTC), Dusoo Pampore in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Monday.

Spice Board Regional Office Srinagar in collaboration with the Agriculture department organised a farmers’ training programme on Spice Board India foundation day at India International Kashmir Saffron Trade Centre (IIKSTC), Dusoo Pampore. The programme was attended by Ashutosh Gautam, Scientist, Officer In-charge, Spices Board, Srinagar, Consultant Spices Board Professor F.A Nehvi, District Agriculture Officer Extension Pulwama Shahnawaz Ahmad Shah and other officials.

A large number of farmers, traders, young entrepreneurs and field functionaries participated in the day-long programme, officials told Kashmir Reader.

As part of Spices Board’s all India campaign of on “Clean and Safe” to commemorate its 36th Foundation Day, Spices Board, Regional Office, Srinagar organised a one-day training programme on the same topic at India International Kashmir Saffron Trade Centre (IIKSTC), Dusoo Pampore.

The programme was steered by Ashutosh Gautam, Scientist, Officer In-charge, Spices Board, Srinagar. Gautam during the opening session of the programme discussed the objective of the programme, quality and hygiene of spices and necessary steps for same. He had detailed deliberation on international standards such as ASTA, FDA, ESA, FSSAI and EPA for clean and safe spices. He discussed the HACCP principles and protocols, GMP in the Industry, which helps to maintain the highest level of produce quality, in turn, better demand and monetary returns.

Consultant Spices Board Professor F.A Nehvi during his deliberation discussed post-harvest management for export-oriented, high-quality produce in various spices. He also explained the quality production of Saffron through in-house production technology.

Taking to Kashmir Reader, Office Incharge Spice Board Pampore Ashutosh Gautam said that 26 February is the foundation day of the spice board. He said the programme was being conducted in 19 States at 53 locations regarding clean and safe spices.

“It has been observed that a lot of consignments of spices gets contaminated which becomes key reasons for refusal and the product is returned back that hits traders hard and ultimately the farmers,” he said, adding that these needed to be plugged and the practices need to be implemented so that the international quality approved by the international agencies like FSSAI, FDA and ASI.

“The traders, farmers as well as government employees need to be awarded regarding modern techniques so that the quality of the product is maintained,” he said, adding that there were 52 spices on which the spice board is shouldering marketing and production.

Taking to Kashmir Reader, District Agriculture Extension Officer Pulwama Shahnawaz Ahmad Shah said that a campaign has been launched under the rubric “Clean and safe spices”. He said the campaign aims to maintain standards so that it could get the best certificates.

BILAL HABIB