AICRP on Spices
ICAR-All India Coordinated Research Project on Spices — “Spicing up the Nation's Progress”
About ICAR-AICRPS
ICAR-All India Coordinated Research Project on Spices (AICRPS), located at ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research, Kozhikode, Kerala has 40 centers (19 regular centers, 19 voluntary centers and 2 project mode centers) representing 14 agro-climatic regions in 24 states including North Eastern States and Tribal areas.
ICAR-AICRPS plays an important role in the development of varieties suitable to different agro-climatic regions and addresses the problems faced by the farming community on crop diseases, crop management practices during adverse and aberrant weather conditions.
Presently, ICAR-AICRPS is working on 18 mandate crops viz., black pepper, small cardamom, large cardamom, ginger, turmeric, nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, coriander, cumin, fennel, fenugreek, ajwain, nigella, saffron, kalazeera, mango ginger and black turmeric.
Germplasm Wealth — Enrichment & Conservation
A remarkable living catalogue of genetic diversity comprising 9744 collections of spice crops are conserved under ICAR-AICRPS centres.
Improved Varieties for Increasing Farmer's Income
ICAR-AICRPS has evolved 194 spice varieties that have markedly impacted spice production in the country. The first hybrid variety of black pepper, Panniyur 1, developed and popularized through Panniyur center of ICAR-AICRPS is still the dominant cultivar not only in India but also worldwide.
Development of high quality varieties paved way for quality upgradation of spices. Climate resilient varieties played an important role in increasing the income of farmers.
Technologies for Crop Production & Plant Health
ICAR-AICRPS has developed 196 crop-wise technologies for varietal improvement, nutrient availability and plant health management.
Single node protray method in ginger and turmeric — needs only 1/4th of the actual seed requirement, saving huge amounts of planting materials.
Developed micro irrigation technology for black pepper, cardamom, turmeric, coriander, fennel and fenugreek.
Organic production technologies, GAP and SAP developed for spices to minimize pesticide residues and ensure food-safe spice production.
Seed coating using plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (FK 14 & FL 18 isolates) results in 10-30% increased yield, enhanced germination and reduced storage pests.
Grafting black pepper on Phytophthora resistant rootstock (Piper colubrinum), biofumigation for ginger rhizome rot, NSKE for coriander powdery mildew.
Technologies popularized through demonstrations are adopted by the concerned states and propagated through various state agricultural departments.
Digitization
In tune with the Hon'ble Prime Minister's special objective of Digital India, the documents were digitized and made available on ICAR-AICRPS website. AICRPS employs web-based online reporting, monitoring and information dissemination system.
Explore More About Our Work
Discover our research centres, varieties developed, and the impact we have made on Indian spice agriculture.