Context: Recently, Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare released the book ‘Spices Statistics at a Glance 2021’on 21st December, 2021. 

• The book is a compendium of all the spices statistics like, area, production, productivity, export, import, price and value of output of various spices produced in the country.

Key highlights of the book

• The book highlights the growth achieved in spices sector during the last seven years from 2014-15 to 2020-21 in the country. 
• According to it, Spices production in the Country grew from 67 lakh tonnes in 2014-15 to 107 lakh tonnes in 2020-21.
• Among the major spices, Cumin (14.8%), Garlic (14.7%), Ginger (7.5%), Fennel (6.8%), Coriander (6.2%), fenugreek (5.8%), Red chilli (4.2%) and Turmeric (1.3 %), show significant growth rate in production.
• The rapid stride in production has made available quality spices for export is reflected in the growth of spices.
• The export of spices contributes 41% of the total export earnings from all horticulture crops in the country and it ranks fourth among agricultural commodities, falling behind only the marine products, non basmati rice and basmati rice. 

Key Reason behind this spike

• The spectacular growth of spices witnessed in the country is due to the various development programmes implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare like MIDH, RKVY, PKVY, PMKSY, etc. 
• The Directorate of Arecanut and Spices Development through its planting material production programme and technology dissemination programme has played an important role in the spread of high yielding varieties which has significantly contributed to the drastic increase in quality spice production in the Country. 
• The demand of spices has tremendously increased due to the recognition of spices as a health supplement especially during the pandemic period, which can be clearly seen from the growing export of spices like turmeric, ginger, cumin, chilli etc.