Sri Vijaya Puram, July 16: The Spice Festival–2025, themed #fromsoiltosoul, turned out to be a resounding success, drawing enthusiastic participation from tourists, locals, tourism trainees, and stakeholders from the Islands. Organized by the Department of Tourism, as part of its on-going series of fairs & festival & events in collaboration with line Departments, the festival offered a one-of-a-kind experience blending culture, cuisine, and sustainability, all centered around the Islands’ rich spice heritage.
The immersive half-day event took participants on a captivating journey through some of the region’s finest spice-growing destinations. Key highlights included a visit to the farm of Padma Shri Kamachi Chellammal (popularly known as Nariyal Amma) at Rangachang, where traditional spice cultivation methods were showcased with personal stories and hands-on interaction.
An insightful tour of KVK-CIARI, Sippighat, where scientific techniques of spice farming, processing, and packaging were demonstrated.
A wholesome stop at the Junglee Mirchi Organic Resort, Caddlegunj, where participants experienced organic farming practices and enjoyed culinary demonstrations using indigenous island spices.
From live harvesting demonstrations to interactive cooking sessions, the festival beautifully brought together tradition and innovation, leaving every participant inspired.
The dedicated spice trail bus, flagged off from the Directorate of IP&T, carried a vibrant mix of visitors, including students, tour guides-in-training, agro-tourism enthusiasts, and island residents, all of whom expressed appreciation for the well-coordinated and informative experience.
The officials of the Directorate extended heartfelt thanks to the resource persons, partnering farms, and institutions for their wholehearted support in making the event a success. The initiative was widely praised for its role in promoting sustainable tourism, showcasing local agricultural practices, and building community engagement.
Participation certificates were distributed to the participants on the occasion.