Spices Board Introduces Online Pooling System for Cardamom Farmers

The Spices Board has announced the introduction of an online pooling system for cardamom, aimed at regulating operations at depots managed by licensed cardamom auctioneers. To ensure transparency, the Board has mandated the verification of all cardamom growers. As part of this initiative, farmers in Kerala and Tamil Nadu are required to register their plantation details with the Spices Board. Upon successful registration, each grower will be assigned a unique identification number.

Once the system becomes operational, only farmers possessing this unique ID will be permitted to pool cardamom at licensed auction centres. Growers in Kerala can submit their registration applications at local Spices Board offices, while those in Tamil Nadu can do so at the regional office in Bodinayakannur or other Spices Board offices within the state. The registration window is open from June 15 to September 30, 2026.

The Board has urged farmers to complete their registration within the stipulated timeframe. In addition to individual growers, entities such as farmer producer organisations (FPOs), companies, societies, partnership firms, and joint ventures managing cardamom plantations are also eligible to register. Officials noted that this move addresses a long-standing demand from growers to regulate the practice of cardamom re-pooling.

Re-pooling has been a contentious issue, with farmers pointing out that some dealers exploit the system by purchasing cardamom on credit at auctions, re-pooling the same stock in subsequent auctions, and profiting from the process. This practice not only distorts production data but also drives down cardamom prices. The introduction of unique identification numbers will enable authorities to verify the identities of genuine farmers, thereby curbing such malpractices.

“When the online pooling system is implemented, others will no longer be able to re-pool cardamom under the guise of actual farmers at auction centres,” an official stated. The Vandanmedu Cardamom Growers Association had previously approached the High Court to seek a ban on re-pooling practices. Officials also highlighted that the plantation registration process will provide the Spices Board with accurate data on cardamom cultivation areas and actual production volumes, which is currently unavailable.

The initiative marks a significant step towards ensuring fair practices in the cardamom trade and addressing the concerns of growers. [S1-S6]