THE Indian Spices Board has instituted a cash award for cardamom producers from this year with a view to encourage competition among farmers for an increase in productivity of the cash crop in Sikkim. The first prize carries Rs100,000 ($2,087) and a citation, while the second prize, which has been reserved for a female farmer, has a cash component of Rs25,000, as well as a citation. Under the process devised for selection of the eligible candidates for the awards, nominations will be collected by the local spices board and an expert committee will visit the cardamom fields from September 15 onwards... Read More