4.1 Language in which Information Manual/Handbook is available [F.No.1/6/2011-IR dt.15.4.2013]
English, Hindi, and Malayalam
4.2 When was the information manual/handbook last updated?
23-03-2023
4.3 Information available in electronic form [Section 4(1)(b)(xiv)]
Yes, available in the official website. https://www.dasd.kerala.gov.in
4.4 Particulars of facilities available to citizen for obtaining information [Section 4(1)(b)(xv)]
Website: www.dasd.kerala.gov.in
4.5 Such other information as may be prescribed under Section 4(i)(b)(xvii)
4.5.1 Grievance redressal mechanism
- Central Public Grievances Redressal and Monitoring (CPGRAM)
Dr. Homey Cheriyan ,
Nodal Officer (CPGRAM) & Director,
Directorate of Arecanut and Spices Development,
(Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare)
Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare,
Government of India, Calicut, Kerala
Phone : 0495 – 2369877 / 2765501
Fax: 0495- 2765777
email: spicedte@nic.in
Website : www.dasd.kerala.gov.in - Shri Babulal Meena,
Part time Vigilance Officer & Deputy Director,
Directorate of Arecanut and Spices Development,
(Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare),
Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare,
Government of India, Calicut, Kerala
Phone : 0495 – 2369877 / 2765501
Fax: 0495- 2765777
email: spicedte@nic.in
Website : www.dasd.kerala.gov.in
4.5.2 Details of applications received under RTI and information provided
A total number of 20 RTI receipts were received during April, 2025 to March, 2026
. Details shown in 4.6
4.5.3 List of completed schemes/projects/programmes
| Target | |||||
| S. No. |
Programmes | Unit | Cost per unit (Rs in Lakhs) | Phy | Fin (Rs. in lakhs |
| I | Production and Distribution of nucleous Planting Materials of spices | ||||
| 1 | Black Pepper / Betelvine | Nos in lakhs | 8.00 | 23.1000 | 184.8000 |
| 2 | Ginger rhizomes | Qty in tones | 0.30 | 122.6500 | 36.7950 |
| 3 | Ginger Protray seedlings | Nos in lakhs | 1.20 | 4.7400 | 5.6880 |
| 4 | Turmeric rhizomes | Qty in tones | 0.30 | 584.0000 | 175.2000 |
| 5 | Turmeric protray seedlings | Nos in lakhs | 1.20 | 12.0500 | 14.4600 |
| 6 | Chilli seeds | Qty in (qtls) | 0.75 | 42.5000 | 31.8750 |
| 7 | Seed spices | Qty in tones | 0.40 | 187.0000 | 74.8000 |
| 8 | Garlic | Qty in tones | 0.50 | 72.5000 | 36.2500 |
| 9 | Bush Pepper | Nos in lakhs | 40.00 | 0.5615 | 22.4600 |
| 10 | Tree spices grafts /seedlings | ||||
| i. | Nutmeg grafts (Plagiotropic) | Nos in lakhs | 80.00 | 0.6050 | 48.4000 |
| ii. | Nutmeg grafts (Orthotropic) | Nos in lakhs | 140.00 | 0.0625 | 8.7500 |
| iii | Tamarind / Kokum grafts | Nos in lakhs | 20 | 1.5800 | 31.6000 |
| iv | Clove /Allspice seedlings | Nos in lakhs | 20 | 0.2675 | 5.3500 |
| v | Cinnamon /Cassia /Curry leaf seedlings | Nos in lakhs | 5 | 4.1255 | 20.6275 |
| vi | Cinnamon seedlings Air layers | Nos in lakhs | 25 | 0.1500 | 3.7500 |
| 11 | Aromatic Plants | Ha. | 0.75 | 64.0000 | 48.0000 |
| 12 | Nursery Centre for spices and Aromatic Plants | Nos | 15 | 3.0000 | 45.0000 |
| 13 | Upgradation of spice nurseries | up to 10 lakhs/4ha | LS | 10.000 | 35.000 |
| 14 | Seed processing and storage infrastructure | 10 lakh/unit | 10 | 20.000 | 200.000 |
| Sub Total | 1028.8055 | ||||
| II | Accreditation of spice nurseries | LS | 25 | 3.000 | |
| a | Establishment of L cardamom nursery | LS | 1 | 7.500 | |
| III | Technology Dissemination through Frontline Demonstration | ||||
| a | Organic farming in spices | Nos in ha | 0.60/1.00 | 55.000 | 55.000 |
| b | Demonstration plots of seed spices | Nos in ha | 0.4 | 85.000 | 34.000 |
| c | Demonstration plots of aromatic plants | Nos in ha | 0.8 | 53.000 | 42.400 |
| d | On farm management by drip irrigation | Nos in ha | LS | 49.000 | 22.450 |
| e | Demonstration of Entomopathogenic nematode in Arecanut | Nos in acre | LS | 4.000 | 4.740 |
| f | Demonstration of integrated mgt of inflorescence dieback disease in Arecanut | Nos in acre | LS | 3.000 | 4.250 |
| g | Establishment of FLDs on Participatory Demonstration of Cinnamon intercropping in coconut | Nos in Acre | LS | 30.000 | 27.670 |
| h | Establishment of FLD on improved organic technology for increasing the yield and quality of Mundu chilli | Nos in acre | LS | 6.000 | 6.000 |
| i | Maintenance of FLDs on Participatory Demonstration of Cinnamon intercropping in coconut | LS | 2.050 | ||
| j | Maintenance of FLDs on Participatory Demonstration of Cinnamon intercropping in coconut in states | LS | 30.960 | ||
| Sub Total | 229.520 | ||||
| IV Innovative project based programmes | |||||
| i | Establishment of Microrhizome based disease free Ginger seed production facility in different states | Nos | LS | 3.000 | 15.000 |
| ii | Demonstration of disease free ginger seed production using microrhizomes and IDM at multiple locations | LS | 8.750 | ||
| iii | Establishment of essential Oil Distillation Unit | Nos | 5 | 3.000 | 15.000 |
| iv | Rejuvenation of Cochin Ginger and Alleppey Finger Turmeric for export promotion | LS | 10.000 | ||
| v | Establishment of Temperature and Relative Humidity Controller Unit | Nos | LS | 1.000 | 3.200 |
| vi | Establishment of FLD for Identification and Genetic Purification of Byadgi Chilli Cultivars | LS | 24.200 | ||
| vii | Crop survey in seed spies to assess the production aspects | LS | 1.000 | 5.000 | |
| Sub Total | 81.150 | ||||
| V Pgmes based on recommendation of National Scientific Committee on Arecanut development | |||||
| a. | Conduct of Brainstorming Session on “Effect of Arecanut Consumption on Human Health | LS | 1.000 | 8.250 | |
| b. | Value Chain Analysis of Arecanut in India: A Pilot study | LS | 1.000 | 4.950 | |
| Sub Total | 13.200 | ||||
| VI | Establishment of Bio control Lab | LS | 90.000 | ||
| VII | Transfer of Technology programmes | ||||
| a. | National Seminar | Nos | 5 | 1.00 | 5.00 |
| b. | State Level Seminar | Nos | 3 | 6.00 | 18.00 |
| c. | District Level Seminar Workshops | Nos | 2 | 18.00 | 36.00 |
| d. | Farmers Training programme | Nos | 0.75 | 145.00 | 108.75 |
| Sub Total | 167.750 | ||||
| VIII | T S G (Monitoring, Evaluation, Mass Media, Publicity etc) | LS | 15.000 | ||
| IX | Mission Management | LS | 52.07450 | ||
| GRAND TOTAL | 1688.00 | ||||
| S.No | Implementing Agencies |
| 1 | Agriculture University, Jodhpur,Rajasthan |
| 2 | Agriculture University, Kota, Rajasthan |
| 3 | Anand Agricultural University,Gujarat |
| 4 | Assam Agricultural University,Assam |
| 5 | Banda Agricultural University, Uttar Pradresh |
| 6 | Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswa Vidhyalaya,West Bengal |
| 7 | Birsa Agricultural University,Jharkhand |
| 8 | C C S Haryana Agricultural University,Haryana |
| 9 | C S Azad Agricultural University,Uttar Pradresh |
| 10 | Central Agricultural University,Imphal/Sikkim/Manipur/COH Pasighat AP/Nagaland |
| 11 | Centre for Water Resources Development & Mgt, Kerala |
| 12 | Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli, Maharashtra |
| 13 | Dr. Punjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Akola, Maharashtra |
| 14 | Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture & Forestry, Solan, HP |
| 15 | Dr. YSR Horticultural University, Andhra Pradesh |
| 16 | ICAR-Central Island Agriculture Research Institute, Port Blair |
| 17 | ICAR-Central Planation crop research Institute, Kasargod/Vittal/Kahikuchi |
| 18 | ICAR – Central Arid Zone Research Institute/Bhuj |
| 19 | ICAR-Directorate of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research, Anand |
| 20 | ICAR – Indian Institute of Spices Research, Calicut, Kerala/Appangala |
| 21 | ICAR – Central Coastal Agriculture Research Institute, Goa |
| 22 | ICAR-National Research Centre for Seed Spices,Ajmer,Rajasthan |
| 23 | Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwaviayalaya, Raipur, Chhattisgarh |
| 24 | Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh |
| 25 | Junagadh Agricultural University,Gujarat |
| 26 | Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur, Kerala |
| 27 | Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth , Rahuri,Maharashtra |
| 28 | Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, Udaipur |
| 29 | Nagaland Central Agricultural University, Nagaland |
| 30 | Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Ayodhya |
| 31 | Navsari Agricultural University,Gujarat |
| 32 | Orissa University for Agriculture and Technology, Orissa |
| 33 | Punjab Agricultural University,Ludhiyana,Punjab |
| 34 | Rajendra Agricultural University,Bihar |
| 35 | Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya,Gwalior,Madhya Pradesh |
| 36 | Regional Science Centre & Planatarium,Kozhikode |
| 37 | Sardar Khrushinagar Dantiwada Agriculture University, Jagudan, Gujarat |
| 38 | Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology,Meerut |
| 39 | Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Srinagar |
| 40 | Sri Karan Narendra Agriculture University, Jobner, Rajasthan |
| 41 | Sri Konda Laxman Telangana State Horticultural University, Telangana |
| 42 | Tamil Nadu Agricultural Univesity,Coimbatore |
| 43 | University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Shimoga |
| 44 | University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore |
| 45 | University of Agricultural Sciences Dharwad |
| 46 | University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur |
| 47 | University of Horticulture Sciences, Bagalkot, Karnataka |
| 48 | Uttar Banga Agricultural Univesity,West Bengal |
| 49 | Uttarakhand University of Horticulture & Forestry |
| 50 | Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Agriculture University, Parbhani, Maharashtra |
| 51 | Attappady Co – Operative Farming Society Ltd. ACF Agali |
| 52 | M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation ,Waynad |
| 53 | State Horticulture Department, Jharkhand |
| 54 | State Horticulture Department, Karnataka |
4.5.4 PROGRAMMES IMPLEMENTED BY THE DIRECTORATE/UNDERWAY
|
4.5.5 Details of all contracts entered into including name of the contractor, amount of contract and period of completion of contract
Procurement through GeM in the Financial Year 2025-26
View PDF : GeM
4.5.6 Annual Report
RTI information has been published in Annual Report of 2022-23 at page No.4.
4.5.7 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
As mostly information is disclosed in the suo-moto disclosure, there are no frequently sough information under RTI
4.5.8 Any other information such as –
(a) Citizen’s Charter,
Citizen’s Charter already available in the DASD official web site (bilingual):
https://dasd.kerala.gov.in/citizen-charter/ (English)
(b) Result Framework Document (RFD)
| S.No | Name of the Scheme/Sub scheme | Financial Outlay 2023-24 | Output deliverables against the outlay 2023-24 | Projected medium term outcome |
| 1 | MIDH | 16.88 Crore | Production of nucleus planting materials of Spices & Aromatic Plants
|
Produced and distributed planting materials of high yielding varieties in spices with quality attributes having high demand for export. This will significantly contribute to the improvement in production of quality spices and would facilitate in sustaining export earnings in the country |
Technology Dissemination Through Frontline Demonstration
Promotion of IPM/INM (Establishment of Biocontrol lab)
|
Established demonstration plots in Spices and aromatic plants to demonstrate latest developed technologies. | |||
Transfer of Technology Programmes
|
Around 12,000 farmers were given training on different aspects of cultivation, management, post-harvest management and processing of spice/Aromatic crops. |
4.6 Receipt & Disposal of RTI applications & appeals [F.No.1/6/2011-IR dt.15.04.2013]
| Year | No of application received under RTI | No. of Reply submitted |
| 2025-26 | 20 | 20 |
View PDF: RTI Queries
4.7 Replies to questions asked in the parliament [Section 4(1)(d)(2)]
| Replies to questions asked in the parliament Total 35 parliament questions were received and replied between 01-04-25 to 31-03-26 |
||||
| Questions pertaining to ARECANUT | ||||
| S.No | Parliament Question No.(Lok Sabha/Rajya Sabha) Starred/Unstarred No. | Letter from | Brief of Questions | Action Taken |
| 1 | Lok Sabha admitted Unstarred Q No. 4889 due for answer on 01.04.2025 | Letter forwarded by Ministry dated 26.03.2025 | Decline of pepper cultivation in Kerala | Inputs provided to the Ministry |
| 2 | Matter of urgent public importance raised during zero hour on 12.04.2025 | Letter forwarded by Ministry dated 15.04.2025 | Establishment of Arecanut Board to ensure price stability and promotion of research | Inputs provided to the Ministry |
| 3 | Rajya Sabha admitted Starred/Unstarred Dy No.U2618 due for answer on 01.08.2025 | Letter forwarded by Ministry dated 21.07.2025 | Illegal import of Arecanut | Inputs provided to the Ministry |
| 4 | Lok Sabha admitted unstarred Q No. 1508 Dy No.4514 due for answer on 29.07.2025 | Letter forwarded by Ministry dated 23.07.2025 | Import of Arecanut | Inputs provided to the Ministry |
| 5 | Rajya Sabha admitted Starred Dy No.U3229 due for answer on 01.08.2025 | Letter forwarded by Ministry dated 24.07.25 | Establishment of Arecanut Board | Inputs provided to the Ministry |
| 6 | Lok Sabha Provisionally admitted Starred Q No 26 Dy No.714 due for answer on 02.12.2025 | Letter forwarded by Ministry dated 18.11.2025 | Arecanut import export data | Inputs provided to the Ministry |
| 7 | Lok Sabha Starred Q No. 34 Dy No.740 due for answer on 02.12.2025 | Letter forwarded by Ministry dated 26.11.2025 | Crop loss faced by Arecanut farmers | Inputs provided to the Ministry |
| 8 | Lok Sabha admitted unstarred Q No.5410 due for answer on 09.12.2025 | Letter forwarded by Ministry dated 01.12.2025 | Least developed exporting countries | Inputs provided to the Ministry |
| 9 | Lok Sabha Dy No.8832 due for answer on 16.12.2025 | Letter forwarded by Ministry dated 10.12.2025 | Damage to arecanut crop | Inputs provided to the Ministry |
| Questions pertaining to TURMERIC | ||||
| S.No | Parliament Question No.(Lok Sabha/Rajya Sabha) Starred/Unstarred No. | Letter from | Brief of Questions | Action Taken |
| 1 | Lok Sabha admitted Unstarred Q No. 4997 due for answer on 01.04.2025 | Letter forwarded by Ministry dated 28.03.2025 | National Turmeric Board | Inputs provided to the Ministry |
| 2 | Lok Sabha admitted Unstarred Q Dy No. 12464 due for answer on 12.08.2025 | Letter forwarded by Ministry dated 04.08.2025 | Export Promotion activity of turmeric | Inputs provided to the Ministry |
| 3 | Lok Sabha admitted unstarred Q. no. 1633 for answer on 10.02.2026 | Letter forwarded by Ministry dated 06.02.2026 | National Turmeric Board | Inputs provided to the Ministry |
| 4 | Lok Sabha admitted Uunstarred Q no.2932 due for answer on 10.03.2026 | Letter forwarded by Ministry dated 06.02.2026 | Export Promotion Initiatives for Turmeric | Inputs provided to the Ministry |
| Questions pertaining to BLACK PEPPER | ||||
| S.No | Parliament Question No.(Lok Sabha/Rajya Sabha) Starred/Unstarred No. | Letter from | Brief of Questions | Action Taken |
| 1 | Lok Sabha admitted Unstarred Q No.3875 due for answer on 12.08.2025 | Letter forwarded by Ministry dated 07.08.2025 | Cultivation of Black Pepper | Inputs provided to the Ministry |
| 2 | Rajya Sabha provisionally admitted Starred/Unstarred Q Dy No.U3230 due for answer on 02.12.2025 | Letter forwarded by Ministry dated 01.12.2025 | National Pepper Board | Inputs provided to the Ministry |
| 3 | Lok Sabha admitted Unstarred Q Dy No.1621 due for answer on 03.02.2026 | Letter forwarded by Ministry dated 27.01.2026 | Black Pepper Cultivation in Andhra Pradesh | Inputs provided to the Ministry |
| 4 | Lok Sabha provisionally admitted starred Question Dy. No. 8073 for answer on 10.03.2026 | Letter forwarded by Ministry dated 02.03.2026 | Pepper production in Kodagu | Inputs provided to the Ministry |
| 5 | Lok Sabha Provisionally Admitted Starred Question Dy. No. 11536 regarding due for answer on 17.03.2026 | Letter forwarded by Ministry dated 10.03.2026 | “Black Pepper Cultivation” | Inputs provided to the Ministry |
| Questions pertaining to RED CHILLIES | ||||
| S.No | Parliament Question No.(Lok Sabha/Rajya Sabha) Starred/Unstarred No. | Letter from | Brief of Questions | Action Taken |
| 1 | Lok Sabha provisionally admitted Q Dy No.13434 due for answer on 01.04.2025 | Letter forwarded by Ministry dated 25.03.2025 | Cold storage facilities for red chillies | Inputs provided to the Ministry |
| Questions pertaining to SPICES | ||||
| S.No | Parliament Question No.(Lok Sabha/Rajya Sabha) Starred/Unstarred No. | Letter from | Brief of Questions | Action Taken |
| 1 | Rajya Sabha provisionally admitted Starred Q No.841 due for answer on 25.07.2025 | Letter forwarded by Ministry dated 16.07.2025 | Regarding Horticulture | Inputs provided to the Ministry |
| 2 | Lok Sabha provisionally admitted Starred Q Dy No.3330 due for answer on 12.08.2025 | Letter forwarded by Ministry dated 05.08.2025 | Spices farmers in Kerala | Inputs provided to the Ministry |
| 3 | Lok Sabha Provisionally admitted Starred Q Dy No. 4133 due for answer on 29.07.2025 | Letter forwarded by Ministry dated 24.07.2025 | Export of Spices from India | Inputs provided to the Ministry |
| 4 | Lok Sabha Admitted Starred Q No. 397 Dy No. 991 due for answer on 02.12.2025 | Letter forwarded by Ministry dated 28.11.2025 | Crisis of farmers in Kerala | Inputs provided to the Ministry |
| 5 | Lok Sabha Provisionally admitted Q No. 1604 due for answer on 09.12.2025 | Letter forwarded by Ministry dated 04.12.2025 | Schemes on Horticulture | Inputs provided to the Ministry |
| 6 | Parliament Q. Dy No. 1740 | Letter forwarded by Ministry dated 29.01.2026 | Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs | Inputs provided to the Ministry |
| 7 | Rajya Sabha admitted starred ques. 85 due for ans on 06.02.2026 | Letter forwarded by Ministry dated 03.02.2026 | Adoption of Codex Standards and Impact on exports | Inputs provided to the Ministry |
| 8 | Rajya Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3858 due for answer on 27.03.2026 | Letter forwarded by Ministry dated 23.03.2026 | Price stabilisation mechanisms for plantation crops | Inputs provided to the Ministry |
| 9 | Lok Sabha admitted Starred Q No.451 due for answer on 24.03.2026 | Letter forwarded by Ministry dated 17.03.2026 | Price Stabilization and MSP in Kerala |
Inputs provided to the Ministry |
| 10 | Lok Sabha Admitted Question No. 5111 scheduled for answer on 24.03.2026 | Letter forwarded by Ministry dated 19.03.2026 | Spices Production in Maharashtra | Inputs provided to the Ministry |
| 11 | Lok Sabha Unstarred Diary No. 16239 due for answer on 24.03.2026 | Letter forwarded by Ministry dated 17.03.2026 | Nutmeg Cultivation | Inputs provided to the Ministry |
| Questions pertaining to BETELVINE | ||||
| S.No | Parliament Question No.(Lok Sabha/Rajya Sabha) Starred/Unstarred No. | Letter from | Brief of Questions | Action Taken |
| 1 | Lok Sabha provisionally admitted Starred Q Dy No.12170 due for answer on 12.08.2025 | Letter forwarded by Ministry dated 05.08.2025 | Chilli cultivation in Nandurbar in Maharashtra | Inputs provided to the Ministry |
| Questions pertaining to GINGER and GARLIC | ||||
| S.No | Parliament Question No.(Lok Sabha/Rajya Sabha) Starred/Unstarred No. | Letter from | Brief of Questions | Action Taken |
| 1 | Lok Sabha Unstarred Diary No. 16609 due for answer on 24.03.2026 | Letter forwarded by Ministry dated 18.03.2026 | Garlic Production | Inputs provided to the Ministry |
| Questions pertaining to GENERAL MATTERS | ||||
| S.No | Parliament Question No.(Lok Sabha/Rajya Sabha) Starred/Unstarred No. | Letter from | Brief of Questions | Action Taken |
| 1 | Rajya Sabha provisionally admitted Unstarred Q Dy No.U6316 due for answer on 04.04.2025 | Letter forwarded by Ministry dated 02.04.2025 | Government Schemes for small farmers welfare | Inputs provided to the Ministry |
| 2 | Rajya Sabha admitted Starred Q No.74 due for answer on 25.07.2025 | Letter forwarded by Ministry dated 21.07.2025 | Revival of cashew plantations and expansion of plantation crops | Inputs provided to the Ministry |
| Questions pertaining to ESTABLISHMENT MATTERS | ||||
| S.No | Parliament Question No.(Lok Sabha/Rajya Sabha) Starred/Unstarred No. | Letter from | Brief of Questions | Action Taken |
| 1 | Lok Sabha admitted Unstarred Q Dy No.969 due for answer on 02.12.2025 | Letter forwarded by Ministry dated 20.11.2025 | Incumbancy of vacancies | Inputs provided to the Ministry |