Fifteenth Annual Review Meeting 2021

Fifteenth Annual Review meeting of the MIDH programmes implemented through the Directorate of Arecanut and Spices Development (DASD), was held on 25-26 June 2021 through video conferencing.  A total of 85 scientists from 45 agencies like SAUs, ICAR Institutes etc were participated in the meeting. 

Dr. S. K. Malhotra, Agriculture & Horticulture Commissioner, Govt of India inaugurated the review meeting. In the inaugural address, he commented that in present pandemic situation, importance of spices has increased and demand has upsurged as immunity boosters. To enhance productivity and income through spices cultivation, shortage of quality planting material must be addressed on priority. He also mentioned that establishing network of nurseries with accreditation, producing quality planting material following standard protocols developed and mother blocks should be given top priority. He pointed out that the Govt of India closely monitors progress of development programmes implemented for high value crops like spices and the issues related to implementation at institute level need to be addressed to achieve the expected outcome. Dr. N.K Patle, Addl Commissioner (Hort), Dr. K.Nirmal Babu, Former Director, IISR, Dr. EVD Sastry also addressed the participants during the inaugural session.

Dr. Homey Cheriyan, Director, DASD welcomed the guests and delegates to the online meeting and in his introductory remarks, he briefed about the present scenario of production and export of spices and relevance of MIDH programmes implemented by the Directorate in improving the same.

The technical session began at 10.30 AM under the chairmanship of Dr. S. K. Malhotra, Agriculture & Horticulture Commissioner where Dr. N.K Patle, Addl Commissioner (Hort), Dr. K.Nirmal Babu, Former Director, IISR, Dr. EVD Sastry and Dr. Gopal Lal were invited as experts to review the programme. Detailed minutes of the meeting can be accessed in the following link.

Minutes of 15th Annual Review Meeting of DASD programmes 2021

Fourteenth Annual Review Meeting 2020

The fourteenth Annual Review meeting of the MIDH programmes implemented through the Directorate of Arecanut and Spices Development, was held on 28- 29 July 2020 through video conferencing. The Review Meeting was inaugurated by  Dr. B N S Murthy, Horticulture Commissioner, Govt. of India on 28 July 2020 at 10.00 AM. In his inaugural address, he highlighted that the demand for spices is expected to increase in the post COVID period. The production/productivity improvement made in NHM/MIDH period to meet export and domestic demand is remarkable. He also appreciated the efforts done by DASD in Rajasthan to develop export clusters for pesticide free cumin production. He assured support from ministry in the efforts to address post COVID difficulties in spices sector. Dr. S K Rao, hon’ble Vice Chancellor, RVSKVV, Gwalior addressed the audience. Dr. Homey Cheriyan, Director, DASD delivered the formal welcome address. Dr. Femina, Deputy Director delivered the introductory remarks. There were around 53 participants representing 45 agencies implementing DASD-MIDH programmes.

      The technical sessions began at 10.30 AM. The Review Team consisted of Dr. B N S Murthy, Horticulture Commissioner, Dr. Homey Cheriyan, Director DASD and Dr. Femina, Deputy Director, DASD. Center/institute wise presentation and review took place thereafter. Detailed minutes of the meeting can be accessed in the following link.

Minutes of the 14th Annual Review Meeting of DASD programmes 2020

Thirteenth Annual Review Meeting 2019

The thirteenth Annual Review meeting of the MIDH programmes implemented through the Directorate of Arecanut and Spices Development, was held from 11 to 12 June 2019 at the Orissa University of Agriculture & Technology, Bhubaneswar. There were 65 participants representing 40 agencies implementing DASD programmes.

     The Review Meeting was inaugurated by  Dr. B N S Murthy, Horticulture Commissioner, Govt. of India. The inaugural session began at 10.00 AM after registration of the Delegates. Dr. Sashikala Beura, OUAT, Bhubaneswar welcomed the participants. Dr. Homey Cheriyan, Director DASD conveyed the objectives of the Review Meeting in his Introductory address. He briefed the audience about the changes in perception to be brought in the implementation of MIDH programmes and informed that outcome based programmes will be promoted from this financial year onwards. Prof S C. Dash, Vice Chancellor in charge, of OUAT presided over the inaugural function. was the Chief Guest and inaugurated the review meeting. In the inaugural address, he saluted the people for overcoming and withstanding the extremely severe cyclonic storm that hit Odisha. He highlighted the importance of spices in Indian economy, importance of traceability and nursery accreditation in spices and assured DASD support to take spices production to next level. Dr. Gopal Lal, Director NRCSS made a special address. Dr. E.V.D Sastry and Dr. S.J. Ankegowda also addressed the gathering. Dr. S. C. Swain, PI, OUAT proposed vote of thanks.

Minutes of the 13th Annual Review Meeting of DASD programmes held at OUAT

NATIONAL SEMINAR ON PLANTING MATERIAL PRODUCTION IN SPICES

A two day National Seminar on Planting material production in spices was organized by Directorate of arecanut and Spices Development (DASD), Kozhikode on 21-22 April 2016 under MIDH.  A total of 210 delegates registered and participated in the seminar from various parts of the country, including Scientists and experts from Research institutes and SAUs, representatives from 10 state Agri/Horti Departments, progressive farmers from 5 states and representatives from spice industry. The seminar was conducted in 5 sessions covering different aspects of planting material production in spices.      

     In the inaugural session, Dr.Homey Cheriyan , Director, DASD  welcomed all the esteemed guests, dignitaries, delegates resource persons and other participants. He informed that DASD, is hosting the National Seminar on Planting Material Production in Spices, to provide a platform to address and discuss recent developments in the planting material production technology in spices and the challenges faced in the production of quality planting material in the spices sector.  Dr.R.R. Hanchinal , Chairperson , PPVFRA inaugurated the seminar by lighting the lamp and delivered the inaugural address. Dr. P. Rajendran , Vice Chancellor, Kerala Agricultural University presided over the session  and Dr. M. TamilSelvan, Addl Commissioner (Hort), Govt. of India delivered the keynote address. Shri. M.S. Dhakad, IFS , Director of Horticulture , Madhya Pradesh and Dr M. Anandaraj, Former Director, ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research, Kozhikode were the guests of honour for inaugural session. Dr John T. Zachariah, Acting Director, ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research, Kozhikode delivered the felicitation address.  

Minutes of "NATIONAL SEMINAR ON PLANTING MATERIAL PRODUCTION IN SPICES" held at Calicut, Kerala