See Full Document Text
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5075
TO BE ANSWERED ON 24TH MARCH, 2026
NUTMEG CULTIVATION
5075. SHRI ESWARASAMY K:
Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ िष एवं िकसान क(cid:670)ाण मं(cid:361)ी
be pleased to state:
(a) the total area under nutmeg cultivation in the country and in Tamil Nadu during the last
three years particularly in and around Pollachi and adjoining regions;
(b) whether the Government provides financial assistance, subsidies, or technical support
for nutmeg cultivation under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH)
or any other centrally sponsored scheme and if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether nutmeg farmers are covered under crop insurance schemes such as Pradhan
Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana and the number of beneficiaries in Tamil Nadu;
(d) whether any research, extension or capacity-building programmes have been
undertaken to improve productivity, pest management and post-harvest processing of
nutmeg; and
(e) the steps taken to promote value addition, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and
export linkages for nutmeg growers in western Tamil Nadu?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
कृ िष एवं िकसान क(cid:670)ाण रा(cid:475) मं(cid:361)ी (SHRI RAM NATH THAKUR)
(a): Total area under nutmeg cultivation in the country and in Tamil Nadu during the last
three years-2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25 particularly in and around Pollachi (in
Coimbatore District) and adjoining regions, is given below:
Area under cultivation of Nutmeg
(Area in Hectare)
2022-23 2023-24 2024-25
Coimbatore 269 332 370
Erode 4 2 2
The Nilgiris 20 21 21
Thirupur 11 10 16
Tamil Nadu State 420 491 537
All India 24250 25743 26604
(b): Under Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), a centrally
sponsored scheme being implemented for holistic growth of horticulture sector in the
country, assistance is being provided for area expansion of perennial spices, including
nutmeg, @40% of the maximum eligible cost in general areas for an area up to 2 hectareon pro-rata basis; whereas, in the case of North Eastern and Himalayan States, Tribal Sub
Plan (TSP) and Scheduled areas, vibrant villages, Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep
Islands, assistance is provided @ 50% of the maximum eligible cost for an area up to 2
hectare on pro-rata basis.
In addition, Directorate of Arecanut and Spices Development (DASD) supports the
production of nucleus planting materials of high yielding varieties of nutmeg through
various Research Stations under Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU). Production of
nucleus materials programme of nutmeg is also being implemented through Indian Council
of Agricultural Research-Indian Institute of Spices Research (ICAR-IISR), Calicut; Kerala
Agricultural University, Thirssur; University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Bangalore; Dr.
Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth (Dr. BSKKVP), Dapoli and ICAR-Central
Coastal Agricultural Research Institute (CCARI), Goa.
(c): State of Tamil Nadu has not notified ‘nutmeg’ crop under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal
Bima Yojana (PMFBY).
(d): Research on nutmeg is conducted by various State Agricultural Universities (SAU)
and ICAR-IISR, Calicut. These institutes regularly conduct extension/capacity-building
programs on various aspects of nutmeg production. These institutes have released
varieties, such as, IISR-Viswasree and IISR-Keralasree, KAU-Pullan, KAU-Kochukudy,
KAU-Mundathanam, KAU-Poothara, KAU- Punnathanam, Konkan Sugandha, Konkan
Swad, Konkan Shrimanti and Konkan Sanyukta with good quality attributes. ICAR-IISR,
Calicut have provided nonexclusive licenses to the entrepreneurs from Tamil Nadu for
mass multiplication and distribution of quality planting materials of nutmeg adhering to the
quality parameters stipulated by ICAR.
ICAR-IISR, Calicut have developed management practices for the coconut -
nutmeg inter-cropping systems and nutmeg-specific micronutrient formulation for
correcting the nutrient deficiencies and enabling better plant health management for higher
yield. IISR promotes the use of Trichoderma bio-capsules for easy application and
effective soil-borne disease management. ICAR-IISR has standardized drying protocols
using solar, vacuum and hot-air dryers to maintain the colour and aroma of mace and to
prevent aflatoxin contamination.
ICAR-IISR has developed technologies for extracting essential oils, oleoresins and
butter from nutmeg. Institute has also developed methods for the use of the nutmeg
pericarp (rind) to create value-added products like pickles, jams and candies.
Kerala Agriculture University (KAU) has developed power-operated Nutmeg Sheller
for post-harvest processing and developed technologies for value added products from
nutmeg rind.
(e): According to the information provided by the D/o Horticulture and Plantation crops,
Tamil Nadu, the Tamil Nadu Government has promoted Nutmeg growers into FPOs
enabling aggregation and direct marketing, supporting value addition and linking with
export promotion agencies like Tamil Nadu Food Processing and Agri Export Promotion
Corporation (TNAPEx) to identify international markets and facilitate export of nutmeg and
its products.
Pollachi Nutmeg Farmer Producer Company Ltd (PNFPCL) stands as a major
success story in farmer-led initiatives, bolstered by expert training from ICAR-IISR in
production technology, grading and quality assessment. By adopting ICAR-IISR-
recommended post-harvest techniques, the FPO has successfully branded "Pollachi
Nutmeg", with training emphasizing international safety standards (free from aflatoxins),
which is critical for high-value mace.
*****