29–31 October 2026 · Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari, Gujarat

37th Annual Group Meeting of ICAR-AICRP on Spices – Charting the Course for Quality, Safety and Innovation in the Spice Sector

Event Overview

The 37th Annual Group Meeting of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) – All India Coordinated Research Project on Spices (AICRP on Spices) was conducted during 29–31 October 2026 at Navsari Agricultural University (NAU), Navsari, Gujarat. The three-day national meet brought together leading spice researchers, scientists and policy experts from across the country to comprehensively review the progress of research programmes on spice crops being carried out across India.

Inaugural Session: Emphasis on Quality, Food Safety and Farmer-Centric Research

The inaugural ceremony was held on 29 October 2026. Dr. T. R. Ahlawat, Director of Research, NAU, extended a cordial welcome to the gathering. Dr. D. Prasath, Project Coordinator, ICAR-AICRP on Spices, presented the achievements and progress of the research programmes under the project and highlighted the impact of the AICRP on Spices network at the national level.

Delivering the presidential address, Dr. R. M. Naik, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, NAU, underscored that consistency in quality and food safety is paramount for the sustained growth of the spice sector. He urged that the spices research system must ensure the availability of the right variety and the right technology to the farming community, thereby contributing directly to enhanced output and higher farm income.

Dr. Sudhakar Pandey, Assistant Director General (Horticultural Sciences), ICAR, the Chief Guest of the occasion, stated that the spices sector shall remain a key pillar in strategic plans for the accelerated growth of the horticultural sector in the coming decades. He stressed the importance of demand-driven varietal development, digitalization of data collection, and the development of climate-smart production technologies.

Dr. R. Dinesh, Director, ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR), Kozhikode, called upon the national spice research network to actively explore opportunities for integrating new-generation tools and advanced technologies to enhance the efficiency of research initiatives.

Other dignitaries present on the occasion included:

• Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj, Director, ICAR-National Research Centre on Seed Spices (NRCSS), Ajmer
• Dr. H. R. Sharma, Director of Extension Education, NAU
• Dr. P. B. Patel, Principal and Dean, NAU

Awards, Felicitations and Publications

During the ceremony, outstanding scientific achievements and grassroots farmer innovations were recognized:

• AICRP Best Centre Award for the Year 2025 was conferred upon the ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Barapani, in recognition of its outstanding contributions in developing sustainable spices production technologies for the North Eastern Hill region of India.
• Progressive Farmer Felicitation: Shri Jayeshbhai Jayantibhai Patel, a progressive farmer from Palsana, Surat, was honoured for his steadfast commitment to scientific cultivation and value addition of mango ginger and turmeric.

A total of 15 publications, comprising 11 extension publications and 4 technical publications, including the Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) for cumin and large cardamom, covering cultivation, research management and development of the spices sector, were officially released during the inaugural session.

Plenary Session: New Varieties and Technologies for the Spice Sector

The technical and plenary sessions reviewed research findings across disciplines and approved two new high-yielding varieties and seven farmer-friendly technologies.

Two new spice crop varieties recommended for release

• Arka Coorg Excel (Black Pepper): A high-yielding variety featuring early maturity, long spike length and high dry recovery. Recommended for cultivation in Karnataka and Assam.
• IISR Kannike (Cardamom): A Malabar-type cardamom hybrid with a highly resistant reaction to leaf blight disease. Recommended for cultivation in Kerala and Karnataka.

Validated technologies approved for farmers

• AMF Application: Standardisation of the AMF application dose and formulation in coriander and fenugreek.
• Root Rot IPM Module: Integrated Pest Management (IPM) module for the management of root rot in nigella (recommended for Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar).
• PGPR Microbes for Turmeric: Use of PGPR microbes for phosphorus and zinc solubilisation and enhanced nutrient utilization in turmeric, validated across 11 states.
• Pest Management in Ginger and Turmeric: Safer chemical-based pest management of shoot borer in ginger and turmeric (recommended for Karnataka, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu).
• Foliar Micronutrient Delivery in Cardamom: Precision foliar nutrient delivery protocol recommended for Kerala and Karnataka.
• Targeted-Yield Nutrient Management in Cardamom: Soil-test-based targeted nutrient delivery module recommended for Kerala and Karnataka.

Conclusion

The 37th Annual Group Meeting concluded with a formal vote of thanks proposed by Dr. R. K. Patel, Organizing Secretary of the meeting. The national meeting provided a platform for reviewing multi-location trials, sharing knowledge and setting strategic priorities for climate resilience, food safety and quality standards, to ensure that Indian spices maintain their leadership in the global marketplace.