Sri Vijaya Puram | January 07, 2026
A District Level Monitoring Committee (DLMC) meeting to review the effective implementation of the SPICE PRAVAH initiative was held on January 7, 2026, under the chairmanship of Mr. Arjun Sharma, IAS, Deputy Commissioner (South Andaman). The meeting took place at the conference hall of the District Office, South Andaman, and was attended by officials of the Department of Agriculture.
SPICE PRAVAH is a five-year roadmap (2025–2030) envisaging integrated development of spices across 2,000 hectares in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The initiative aims to ensure holistic growth of the spice sector through area expansion, cluster-based development, and value addition, with the objective of creating a sustainable spice economy for island farmers. The programme focuses on reducing dependency by promoting the cultivation of Black Pepper, True Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Tejpatta, and Clove, which are well suited to the islands’ agro-climatic conditions.
During the meeting, it was informed that zonal-level teams comprising officers and field staff are being constituted to monitor plantation performance. These teams will conduct surveys to assess sapling survival rates and plant health management. Emphasis is also being placed on training farmers in preventive plant care practices, including mulching and shading, to ensure better crop growth and long-term sustainability.
The Committee was apprised that under the SPICE PRAVAH initiative, 118 hectares in South Andaman and 101 hectares in Little Andaman are proposed to be brought under spice cultivation during the year 2026–27. The Chairman was also informed about the procurement of quality planting material from the mainland, along with the production of spice seedlings at departmental farms within the islands to ensure smooth implementation of the programme.
For outreach and farmer support, the Department of Agriculture has made provisions for technical guidance through the Kisan Call Centre. Farmers can seek advice related to SPICE PRAVAH by dialing 03192-243434 or the toll-free number 1800-345-1145.
