News & Events

The 20th Annual Review Meeting of the Development Programmes on Spices and Arecanut, implemented by the Directorate of Arecanut and Spices Development (DASD), was held on 10 to 11 July 2026 at Hotel Hyson Heritage, Kozhikode, Kerala. The meeting was inaugurated by Dr. Naveen Kumar Patle, Additional Commissioner (Horticulture), Government of India. Dr. Pratap Singh, Vice Chancellor, MaharanaPratap University of Agriculture & Technology, Udaipur, delivered the Special Address. Felicitations were offered by Dr. K.B. Hebbar, Director, ICAR–Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI), Kasaragod, and Dr. D. Prasath, Project Coordinator, All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Spices. Dr. Homey Cheriyan, Director, Directorate of Arecanut and Spices Development, welcomed the gathering. The two-day meeting brought together around 70 representatives from 45 implementing agencies, including State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) and ICAR Institutes from across the country. The progress of various development programmes being implemented in the spices and arecanut by implementing agencies were reviewed in the meeting and deliberated on strategies for improving their effectiveness. The meeting also featured presentations by the participating, showcasing their achievements, best practices, and innovative approaches in the implementation of these programmes. A coffee table book on Alleppey Finger Turmeric (AFT) and Cochin Ginger (CG) was released during the meeting. The review meeting served as an effective platform for knowledge sharing, exchange of experiences, and fostering collaboration among implementing agencies, research institutions, and other stakeholders for the sustainable development of the spices and arecanut sector in the country.

The 19th Annual Review Meeting of MIDH Programmes, implemented by Directorate of Arecanut and Spices Development (DASD), took place from June 26-27, 2025, at Vanamati, College of Agriculture, Dr. PDKV, Nagpur.  The meeting was Inaugurated by Dr. Prabhat Kumar, Horticulture Commissioner, Government of India, and presided over by Dr. Sharad Gadakh, Vice Chancellor, Dr. PDKV, Akola. Dr. Homey Cheriyan, Director, DASD, delivered introductory remarks, while Dr. D. Prasath, Project Coordinator, AICRP on Spices, offered felicitations. Around 70 representatives from 45 implementing agencies, including State Agricultural Universities and ICAR Institutes, participated in the meeting.

CG-47, sample of Cochin Gingerand AFT-31, sample of Alleppey Finger Turmeric have been identified for multiplication and commercial use. It was decided in the meeting organized by the Directorate of Arecanut and Spices Development (DASD), Calicut on 9th May 2025 to review the progress of the project, Rejuvenation of Cochin Ginger and Alleppey Finger Turmeric, which is being implemented by DASD in association with Kerala Agricultural University. The meeting was attended by leading scientists and experts in ginger and turmeric from Kerala Agricultural University, ICAR–Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR), Spices Board, National Turmeric Board, Kerala State Horticulture Mission (SHM) and prominent Spices Export Houses.