29–31 October 2026, Navsari, Gujarat
The XXXVII Annual Group Meeting of the ICAR-All India Coordinated Research Project on Spices (AICRP on Spices) was organised from 29 to 31 October 2026 at Navsari Agricultural University (NAU), Navsari, Gujarat. The three-day meeting brought together spice researchers from across the country to review research progress, deliberate on emerging challenges and identify improved varieties and technologies for the spice sector.
During the inaugural session on 29 October, Dr T. R. Ahlawat, Director of Research, NAU, welcomed the participants, while Dr. D. Prasath, Project Coordinator, ICAR-AICRP on Spices, presented the progress and national-level impact of the research programmes under the project.
In his presidential address, Dr R. M. Naik, Vice Chancellor, NAU, emphasised the importance of quality and food safety in strengthening the spice sector. He called for developing suitable varieties and technologies to enhance agricultural productivity and farmers' income. Dr. Sudhakar Pandey, Assistant Director General (Horticultural Sciences), ICAR, the Chief Guest, highlighted the strategic importance of spices in the growth of the horticulture sector and stressed demand-driven varietal development, digitalisation of data collection and climate-smart technologies. Dr. R. Dinesh, Director, ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR), Kozhikode, emphasised the integration of emerging technologies to improve research efficiency.
Other dignitaries present included Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj, Director, ICAR-National Research Centre on Seed Spices (NRCSS), Ajmer; Dr. H. R. Sharma, Director of Extension Education, NAU; and Dr. P. B. Patel, Principal and Dean, NAU.
The ICAR-AICRP on Spices Best Centre Award 2025 was conferred upon ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Barapani, in recognition of its contribution to developing sustainable spice production technologies for the North Eastern Himalayan region. Shri Jayeshbhai Jayantibhai Patel, a progressive farmer from Palsana, Surat, was also felicitated for his contributions to scientific cultivation and value addition of mango ginger and turmeric. A total of 15 publications, comprising 11 extension and four technical publications, including Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) for cumin and large cardamom, were released during the inaugural session.
The technical and plenary sessions reviewed research achievements and identified two new spice varieties for release for cultivation:
Arka Coorg Excel (Black Pepper): A high-yielding, early-maturing variety with long spikes and high dry recovery, recommended for Karnataka and Assam.
IISR Kannike (Cardamom): A Malabar-type cardamom hybrid with high resistance to leaf blight disease, recommended for Kerala and Karnataka.
The meeting also approved seven new technologies under the Transfer of Technology session for recommendation to farmers. These included standardisations of AMF application in coriander and fenugreek; an integrated pest management (IPM) module for root rot in nigella for Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar; application of PGPR microbes for phosphorus and zinc solubilisation in turmeric, validated across 11 states; improved chemical-based pest management of shoot borer in ginger and turmeric; foliar micronutrient application in cardamom; and targeted-yield-based nutrient management in cardamom.
The meeting provided a national platform for reviewing research progress, sharing scientific advancements and identifying priorities for future research. The identification of improved varieties and technologies, alongside emphasis on quality, food safety and climate resilience, is expected to strengthen spice production and enhance farmers' livelihoods.
(Source: ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research, Calicut)
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