ASR Farmers Invited to Apply for Subsidised Spice Machinery

Visakhapatnam:ASR district collector T. Nishanthi on Monday announced that the central government, in collaboration with the spices board, has invited applications from farmers in ASR district for subsidised machinery aimed at improving spice cultivation and processing. The initiative covers equipment for de-husking and cleaning black pepper, cleaning turmeric, and polishing ginger and turmeric.

According to the collector, tribal farmers will receive a 75 per cent subsidy on machines used for de-husking and cleaning black pepper (post-drying) and for cleaning turmeric. Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) are eligible for a 90 per cent subsidy. The machines operate on electricity, diesel, or petrol, making them adaptable to local conditions. In addition, polishing machines for ginger and turmeric will also be sanctioned with a 75 per cent subsidy.

Farmers are required to make the full payment upfront, after which the subsidy amount will be credited directly to their accounts. Tribal farmers cultivating black pepper, ginger, and turmeric are particularly encouraged to apply. The collector reiterated that FPOs would benefit from the higher 90 per cent subsidy rate, thereby strengthening collective farming initiatives in the region.

Applications must be submitted to the Spices Board office located on the second floor of the ITDA complex by August 31. Applicants are required to attach copies of their Aadhaar card, caste certificate, the first page of their bank passbook, a Podu land title deed or land ownership deed (cultivators holding at least 25 cents of land are also eligible), along with their mobile phone number and two passport-sized photographs. Officials highlighted that the scheme is designed to support tribal farmers by reducing post-harvest losses and improving the quality of spices for market competitiveness.