Functions and duties of the Board

The functions of the Board as defined under the Spices Board Act are:

The Board may:-

  1. develop, promote and regulate export of spices;

  2. grant certificate for export of spices;

  3. undertake programs and projects for promotion of export of spices;

  4. assist and encourage studies and research for improvement of processing, quality, techniques of grading and packaging of spices;

  5. strive towards stabilization of prices of spices for export;

  6. evolve suitable quality standards and introduce certification of quality through “Quality Marking” for spices for export;

  7. control quality of spices for export;

  8. give licenses, subject to such terms and conditions as may be prescribed, to the manufacturers of spices for export;

  9. market any spice, if it considers necessary, in the interest of promotion of export;

  10. provide warehousing facilities abroad for spices;

  11. collect statistics with regard to spices for compilation and publication;

  12. import, with the previous approval of the Central Government, any spice for sale, and

  13. advise the Central Government on matters relating to import and export of spices.

(2) The Board may also:-


  1. promote co-operative efforts among growers of cardamom;


  1. ensure remunerative returns to growers of cardamom;


  1. provide financial or other assistance for improved methods of cultivation and processing of cardamom, for replanting cardamom and for extension of cardamom growing areas;


  1. regulate the sale of cardamom and stabilization of prices of cardamom;


  1. provide training in cardamom testing and fixing grade standards of cardamom;

  2. increase the consumption of cardamom and carry on propaganda for that purpose;

  3. register and license brokers (including auctioneers) of cardamom and persons engaged in the business of cardamom;

  4. improve the marketing of cardamom;

  5. collect statistics from growers, dealers and such other persons as may be prescribed on any matter relating to the cardamom industry; publish statistics so collected or portions thereof or extracts there from;

  6. secure better working conditions and the provision and improvement of amenities and incentives for workers; and

  7. undertake, assist or encourage scientific, technological and economic research


  1. undertake, assist or encourage scientific, technological and economic research