Itanagar, March 15: Gabriel D Wangsu, Horticulture Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, emphasised the need to strengthen market linkages for large cardamom growers to ensure transparent trade and better price realisation for farmers.
The minister made the remarks while inaugurating the Large Cardamom Productivity Award distribution programme for the past four years along with a buyer–seller meet organised by Spices Board India in Itanagar.
More than 250 spice growers, including members of Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs) and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) from Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Nagaland, Manipur and Meghalaya attended the programme. Around 35 spice exporters from across the country also participated in the event.
Congratulating the award-winning farmers, Wangsu praised their dedication and disciplined farming practices, noting that the adoption of scientific orchard management has helped improve both productivity and quality of large cardamom in the region. He said the achievements of these farmers would inspire others to adopt improved cultivation methods.
Highlighting the significance of the buyer–seller meet, the minister said such initiatives enable direct interaction between growers and buyers, helping strengthen market linkages and ensure better returns for farmers.
He also encouraged buyers to collaborate with farmer groups and producer organisations to establish reliable procurement arrangements that can provide stable incomes to growers.
Wangsu further highlighted the state government’s efforts to strengthen the spice value chain and said initiatives are underway to build a reliable and quality-driven ecosystem for spice production and marketing.
The minister urged farmers and FPOs to maintain proper documentation, adopt simple digital tools and coordinate with field officers to improve transparency and creditworthiness.
He also stressed the importance of environmental sustainability, calling for the preservation of soil health, prudent water management and the adoption of climate-resilient farming practices in spice cultivation.
Large cardamom remains one of the most important high-value spice crops in the North East, providing a key source of livelihood for farming communities. Officials said the buyer–seller meet offered a platform for growers, traders, exporters and other stakeholders to exchange ideas and explore new market opportunities, strengthening the region’s spice sector.
