The Andaman and Nicobar administration has unveiled ‘Spice Pravah,’ a transformative initiative to revive the islands’ historic spice trade legacy and enhance local spice production, announced Chief Secretary Chandra Bhushan Kumar on Saturday. Rooted in the islands’ historical role in the global spice route since the Chola Empire, the project leverages the region’s 3,400 mm annual rainfall and fertile soils to cultivate spices like cinnamon, clove, and black pepper on an unprecedented scale.

Kumar, in an exclusive PTI interview, emphasized the cultural and economic significance of spices, noting their underutilization in the islands. “Historically, these islands were a spice trade hub. ‘Spice Pravah’ shifts from small-scale, local-use cultivation to large-scale production to meet domestic needs and reduce import reliance,” he said. The initiative, officially titled Spice Promotion by Integrated Cultivation & Enhancement — Promotion of Resilient Aromatic Value Chains & Holistic Farming (Pravah), integrates government farms and private farmers.

From August to September, 1.25 lakh saplings—70,000 cinnamon, 50,000 black pepper, and 1,000 nutmeg—will be planted, nurtured in government nurseries for quality assurance. Intercropping within coconut plantations optimizes land use, supported by the Central Island Agricultural Research Institute (CIARI) and Botanical Survey of India. A July 31 plantation drive in Little Andaman saw 2,200 black pepper cuttings planted across one hectare, benefiting farmers like Ashok Bachar and Shyamlal Mondal.

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The project aims for significant yields within four years, contributing to national supply chains. Eight spice collection centers across agricultural zones will facilitate processing and value-added products. A core team trained at the Indian Institute of Spices Research, Kozhikode, is driving efforts toward branding and GI tagging to elevate Andaman spices globally. The Spice Festival 2025, held on July 16, showcased this vision, blending sustainable farming with agro-tourism at sites like Nariyal Amma’s farm and Junglee Mirchi Resort.

‘Spice Pravah’ not only aims to restore the islands’ spice trade prominence but also fosters economic growth and self-reliance for local communities, reinforcing Andaman’s agricultural potential.

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