Sri Vijaya Puram, Dec. 17: The Department of Agriculture, A&N Administration has introduced an Online Registration and Doorstep Collection facility for Spices and Honey under the Dweep Sugandh initiative towards strengthening market access for farmers and beekeepers for a limited period. The initiative aims to provide a hassle-free, transparent and farmer-friendly mechanism for the direct procurement of quality produce from local producers.
Under this initiative, the Department will procure key spices such as true cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, mace, black pepper and bay leaf along with honey, from interested local farmers/beekeepers. The procurement will be carried out at departmental rates, ensuring fair and remunerative prices to the farmers. The rate fixed by the Department are as follows:
1. Black Pepper: Rs. 2000 per Kg
2. Bay Leaf/Tejpatta: Rs. 1300 per Kg
3. Cinnamon Quills: Rs. 2000 per Kg
4. Clove: Rs. 2000 per Kg
5. Mace: Rs. 2500 per Kg
6. Nutmeg: Rs. 15 per number
7. Honey: Rs. 1100 per Kg
Farmers/beekeepers/Self Help Groups (SHGs) engaged in the production of Spices and Honey can register themselves through the online registration portal. Upon successful registration, the Department will arrange for the collection of produce directly from the farmers’ doorstep. As on date, online registration is completely free and hence farmers of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands may register themselves on the portal for selling their agricultural produce i.e; Spices and Honey through this facility.
Interested farmers may register through the online portal at https://agri.andamannicobar.gov.in/farmer.
For further details, they may also contact the nearest Sub-Depot, In-charge, Zonal Office, or reach out to the Kisan Call Centre at 03192-243434 / 1800-345-1145, a press release from Department of Agriculture said.