World's only Large Cardamom (LC) auction center to go online

SILIGURI: World's only auction center of Large Cardamom(LC) at Rangpo in Indian hilly state Sikkin is going online soon to bridge the existing gap between the growers at state and its global buyer mostly from middle East or Pakistan. The shift can become a major money spinner for the tiny state where almost 40% of the global yield and grown almost entirely in organic fashion.

"After preliminary feasibility assessments done, we are now finalizing a proposal for conversion of world's only LC Auction Center at Rangpo into an online auction center. This will be handed over to Governmemnt of India. We expect that to get cleared by next couple of months," said Mr. P C Roy Senior Zonal Manager, North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Cooperation (NERAMAC), an agency under administrative control of Department of North East. GoI. NERAMAC operates the Rangpo LC auction center in Sikkim.

As the project planning goes, Rs 3 crore is needed to have the required infrastructure for the auction center to be built and set in the shape of tea auction centers. In addition, State Government is to provide us land for the center.

"Sikkim's cardamom is a preferred choice in Middle East and Pakistan. E Auction will become direct interface between global buyers and Sikkim by passing all the intermediate tires existing now," said Mr. Roy.

Sikkim at present hosts a technology mission for LC. It is not only aimed to bring higher volume of large cardamom produce under organized marketing umbrella, but also to increase production volume. That can help India in getting back its lost position in Global cardamom market that includes both large as well as small cardamom.

Replacing India, Guatemala is now global leader in cardamom with its production of over 26,000 Metric ton(MT). India is still at production level of 15000 MT. Out of which LC is 4000MT, near 50% of global yield. Around 16thousand growers in Sikkim contribute 80% to India's total LC production.

Under the mission, Sikkim has developed 150 seedling development centers and started providing training programs. Area under LC cultivation in the state has also got expanded from 21k to 26k hectare.

In addition, improved drying and other processing facilities are also being made available to all to ensure improved appearance and oil content. "These are vital factors to bring in higher price, from international market," Said Mr. Roy.