The Spices Board of India, operating under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has unveiled financial support for the 2025–26 fiscal year through its flagship SPICED scheme, aimed at promoting sustainability and innovation in the spice export sector

In a major push to enhance sustainability and competitiveness in India’s spice sector, the Spices Board of India, under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has announced financial assistance under its flagship “SPICED” scheme for the financial year 2025–26.

The scheme — formally titled Sustainability in Spice Sector through Progressive, Innovative and Collaborative Interventions for Export Development — is aimed at supporting farmers, exporters, and spice-based enterprises through a range of interventions focused on productivity, value addition, and global market access.

Online applications for financial assistance will open on May 26, 2025, via the official website www.indianspices.com. Spice exporters can submit applications under the export development and promotion components until June 30, while farmers and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) will have until September 30 to apply under various developmental categories.

Approved for implementation until the end of the Fifteenth Finance Commission cycle, the SPICED scheme is positioned as a comprehensive program to modernize the spice value chain. It includes support for replantation and rejuvenation of cardamom crops, adoption of organic and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), and the installation of modern post-harvest infrastructure such as dryers, polishers, and grading equipment.

A major component of the scheme, “Mission Clean and Safe Spices,” seeks to close food safety compliance gaps by encouraging certification and quality assurance. The initiative also promotes the production and export of GI-tagged and organic spices, with a special emphasis on developing export-ready spice clusters in the North Eastern Region.

Startups and MSMEs in the spice sector are set to benefit from the creation of Spice Incubation Centres and product development initiatives designed to strengthen branding and market presence. The scheme also extends support for participation in international trade fairs, buyer-seller meets, and other promotional events, with particular encouragement for first-time exporters.

In addition to financial incentives, the scheme emphasizes capacity building through training programs, extension services, and dissemination of market intelligence to empower farmers, self-help groups (SHGs), and FPOs.

Regional and field offices of the Spices Board will assist stakeholders with the application process and implementation of approved projects. For further information, interested parties are advised to visit the Board’s website or contact their nearest office.

The SPICED scheme reflects the government’s continued focus on innovation, inclusivity, and global leadership in the spice sector, aiming to elevate India’s position as a trusted supplier of high-quality, sustainable spices.