The ICAR-All India Coordinated Research Project on Spices (ICAR-AICRPS) is the largest spice research network in the country, through which nationwide collaborative and interdisciplinary research is being carried out, linking the ICAR system with State Agricultural Universities and central institutions. ICAR-AICRPS was initiated in 1971 and currently operates in 40 centers (19 regular, 19 voluntary, and 2 project-mode centers) across 14 agro-climatic zones in 25 states of the country. It coordinates research activities on 18 spice crops.
High-yielding, climate-resilient, and abiotic and biotic stress-tolerant spice varieties, along with micro-irrigation, fertigation, sustainable production technologies, and good agricultural practices (GAP) developed by ICAR-AICRPS, are ensuring an increase in farmers’ income.
A remarkable living catalogue of genetic diversity, comprising 9744 unique collections of spice crops, is conserved at ICAR-AICRPS centers. Crop improvement programs utilizing germplasm conserved over the past three decades have resulted in the development of more than 194 improved varieties of spices, which are capable of doubling farmers’ income. The ICAR-AICRPS facilitated the notification of minimum seed certification standards for 17 spice crops by the Central Seed Certification Board, Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India.
Additionally, ICAR-AICRPS has developed 196 crop-wise technologies for nutrient availability, micronutrient management, organic practices, and plant health management across various spice crops.
ICAR-AICRPS technologies have also reached the remote and tribal areas of Chintapalli in Andhra Pradesh, Pottangi in Odisha, and Raigarh in Chhattisgarh, providing employment opportunities, empowering women, and improving the economic status of farmers. ICAR-AICRPS works for the development of the North Eastern region through its seven centers located in six northeastern states to develop farmer-friendly and cost-effective technologies for crops like black pepper, ginger, turmeric, and large cardamom, thus enhancing farmers' income.
AICRPS, which coordinates spice research in the country, has played a pivotal role in technological interventions to increase spice production and productivity, thereby contributing to the growth in spice exports.