Malabar, which means a
mountainous country in Persian language, (Chera Empire, presently state of
Kerala in south India,) was a major spice exporter as early as 3000 BCE,
according to Sumerian records. Its
fame as “the land of spices” attracted ancient Babylonians, Assyrians and Egyptians
to the Malabar Coast in the 3rd and 2nd millennia
BCE. Arabs and Phoenicians were also successful in establishing their prominence
in the Kerala trade during this early period. Jewish connection with Kerala
started as early as 573 BCE. Arabs
also had trade links with Kerala, possibly started before the 4th
century BCE, as Herodotus (484–413
BCE) noted that goods brought by Arabs from Kerala were sold to the Jews at
Eden Port. Greeks, Romans and
Chinese too were among the foreigners who had contacts with the Malabar Coast.
The Greek book ‘Periplus’ lists the goods which were
exported from Muzuris, (Kodungallur.) The export items were pepper, pearl,
ivory, nice cloth (Putt,) Indian
spikenard or ‘Jadamanchy,’ (Nardostachys
jatamansi) from the banks of Ganges, areca-nut, various precious stones
(Diamond) and shell of tortoise from Tamil Islands. That was a golden era and
the glory and splendour of Malabar (Kerala) was beyond imagination.
Spices, drugs, perfumes, precious stones and valuable woods from
the Orient passed through Roman cities to markets further west. Julius Caesar, the Roman emperor, presented a
pearl worth 48,457 Varahan to his friend Brutus’s mother, Survelia. The value
of the pearl on Cleopatra’s (the Queen of Egypt) ear ring was worth 161458
Varahan. The Kings of Bible mentions,
“In BC 1000, during the reign
of King
of Israel, Solomon the great, sent his men in Phoenician ships from
Cyden and Tyre every three years and collected gold, silver, elephant tusk,
peacock, monkey and sandal wood from Malabar (Kerala) forest and took it
through Muzuris (Kodungallur) Port.” “The doors of the tower gate in Cartage
town were made of Sandal wood brought from Malabar,” says Mester Bossarthsmith,
a historian. It is evidenced by the discovery of teak in the ruins of Ur. The
magnificent teak of the Malabar (Kerala) forest appears to have been used for
the manufacture of ships that fought in the battle of Trafalgar and brought
victory to Nelson. “In olden days foreigners especially Italians bought pearls
from this country, they say River Periyar is one of the places where it is
available,” (See Kautilya’s "Arthasastra, 4th century A.D.) The
spices, valuable timber and other resources attracted the Jews, the Arabs and
later the Portuguese, the Dutch and the English to the Malabar Coast.
At
present India export agricultural produce like Raw Indian Basmati, Raw Rice, Sugar, Wheat, and semi-processed
and processed ready-to-eat products (to the
Western countries and Gulf Region); Sesame and Niger seeds; Spices
including pepper, chilli, cardamom, ginger, clove, cinnamon, mint, cumin,
nutmug, turmeric; garlic, oregano, basil
and myrr & frankinsense; Fruits, and Vegetables; Cashew; Oil cake/meals,
Coir, Coir-products; Tobacco; Beverages like tea and coffee; and Marine
Products (shrimps, prawns, & crabs) to USA; Meat & Meat products,
Boneless Meat Buffalo; Minerals include iron ore (from Kundremukh in Karnataka
to Japan,) Iron and Steel (to
Malasia); Coal
(from Bihar & Jharkund); and Other goods/things like automobiles, chemicals, IT,
pharmaceuticals, textiles –
(polyester & cotton to UAE); Garments
(to Belgium,) Cotton items (to Japan); Cushion (to Myanmar); Automobiles -
Tractor parts (to Turkey); Cars and its spares; ports, aviation - Air-craft parts,
leather, tourism and hospitality, wellness, railways.
Though India is a major
exporter of agricultural and allied products, we still import - cereals,
pulses, sugar, milk and milk products, and chicken meat etc. The Green
Revolution in India was a success but it failed to extend the concept of high
yield value seeds to all crops and all regions. In terms of crops, it is still
largely confined to food grains like wheat and paddy only, not to all kinds of
agricultural produce. It shall be extended to other cereals, pulses to make
India self-sufficient. Similarly India tops in the number of cattle wealth but
in spite of the White Revolution the milk we derived is not sufficient for our
domestic use. Therefore we have to focus our attention to improve the cattle
breed to make India self-sufficient in milk and milk products. Nutritious food
is vital for the health of the population.
India has huge potential for export of innovative, value-added
spice products. India, which is the largest producer, consumer, and exporter of
spices, has 48% share in global market (volume-wise,) according to A.B. Rema
Shree, director, research and development, Spices Board. Raw spices and
value-added products are exported now. Under the value-added segment,
entrepreneurs can use the technology available, produce and export innovative
products such as spice-flavoured chocolates, and bathing bars, oils, and creams
with spice fragrance, she said at a meeting organized recently by United
Planters’ Association of Southern India. The Spices Board is focusing on
high-end value addition. In 2016-17, domestic market for spices was 6.13
million tonnes and exports, which include extracts, oils, blends, and powders,
were 0.95 million tonnes, with exports to about 150 destinations. Chilli is one
of the main export items. The other major spices exported are mint, cumin,
spice oils, and value-added products. There are about 6,000 registered exporters
of which manufacturer-exporters are 697. Ms. Rema Shree said the Spices Board
promotes formation of spice producer societies for value addition and direct
marketing. There are 47 societies and 10 spice development agencies. Further,
there are six spice parks in the country and two more have been developed.
These parks have common facilities for basic processing facilities. She
told that this was an ongoing project. The infrastructure at the parks was
provided by the board and it was developed under the ASIDE Scheme of the Union
government for producers and entrepreneurs to process spices add value, and
export. E-Spice Bazaar, a web portal designed in association with Department of
Electronics and Information Technology, ensures total traceability of farms and
strengthens the farmers to negotiate with traders. So far, more than 40,000
chilli farmers and 11, 000 turmeric farmers have been covered in four districts
of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
Market intelligence and
creating awareness in international market about quality of products need to be
strengthened to boost agricultural exports. We should also collect data from other countries, which are exporting
these goods, their quality, quantity, and make bilateral or multilateral
agreements for trade and commerce.
It is significant to know the uses and purposes of the
exported goods or things and the final value-added product, which ultimately
reach the consumer like medicines, perfumes, cosmetics manufactured from
spices; semi-processed or processed articles (ready to eat) from varied grains
and steel manufactured from iron ore and the like.
It is the duty of
the government and its agencies to give technical know-how, assistance,
training facilities to competent persons. The entrepreneurs may also be given
encouragement including incentives like reduced excise duty and GST and other
tax exemptions, subsidies on capital investment, other allowances given to
small scale industries and other facilities. They may be allowed to carry on
business with or without collaboration of foreign agencies to make the
value-added final products as per requirements of the ultimate consumer.
Recognition to the establishment too is vital. Quality control is another significant factor, which is an aggregate of activities (such as
design, analysis and inspection for defects) designed to ensure adequate
quality especially in manufactured products. It is important to
market the products at competitive price without bargaining on quality and
quantity of the products.
The
Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi launched “Make in India” initiative
on 25th September 2014 from Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. The
Government is committed to chart out a new path wherein business entities are
extended red carpet welcome in a spirit of active cooperation.
India’s agri-exports
face certain constraints that arise from conflicting domestic policies relating
to production, storage, transport, distribution, food security, pricing
concerns etc. Unwillingness to decide on basic minimum quantities for export
makes Indian supply sources unreliable. Higher domestic prices in comparison to
international prices of products of bulk exports like sugar, wheat, rice etc.
make our exports commercially less competitive.
Reasonable restrictions could
be imposed on export of raw agricultural products and other goods/things and
services except in the form of final products made/manufactured as per
requirements of the ultimate consumer. This could develop indigenous
industries, create employment and bring prosperity to India.
Joseph
J. Thayamkeril,
Lawyer,
Cochin
josephjthayamkeril@gmail.com
memoirs
josephjthayamkeril.blogspot.com
josephjthayamkeril.google.com
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