IISR sets up post-harvest processing unit in Kerala.

The Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR) has set up an advanced facility for post-harvest technology at Kozhikode, which is expected to give a significant thrust to research on processing, food safety and value addition in spices.

Inaugurating the facility, Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary, DARE and Director-General, ICAR, emphasised the need for meticulous crop planning to enhance farm business income from farming of spice crops.

Product development for niche markets, better application of mechanisation and innovative crop management can enhance the returns from spice farming, he said.

Later, addressing a seminar on Fair Agricultural Practices, he urged farmers to explore the potential of integrated farming with maximum diversification to meet the challenges in the sector. Climate change had emerged as a major concern for farmers where researchers can contribute more in the future, he added.

The facility also envisaged to encourage entrepreneurship in the sector by extending an incubation facility to young entrepreneurs and start-ups with the support of the Institute of Technology Management, Business Planning and Development (ITMBPD) at IISR. Besides, the Institute also launched three technologies to fight pest infestation in spice cultivation.

HBL