THE CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS - IFEAT

The major challenges in theimplementation of the backwardintegration programme are;• Scattered farms• Lack of awareness• Cultural and linguisticbarriersThe pie-chart indicates thedistribution of farm extents in Indiafor spices; 70% of the farms are ofless than 10 acres in area. This makesthe programme more labour intensiveand difficult to handle.TOOLS AND METHODOLOGIES34'1*''9:'"56%0''948'''(*6%'12"+'9:'"56%0''348'/%00'12"+''34'"56%0''748'Figure 9 : Distribution of Farm Sizes (Spices)The industry leverages on ITtools like SAP to maintaintraceability. The nationaldatabase is being setup by thegovernment agencies,integrating the industry data.Figure 10 : Traceability - SAP Tracking ProcessIPM PROGRAMIn order to maintain the quality requirements oncontaminants and toxins; the IPM programmehave been effectively implemented in major cropslike chillies, seed spices and cardamom. The stepsinvolved in the process are as below.• Soil conditioning• Bio agents and organic manure• Insect traps (visual / pheromone) and birdperches• Border crops and trap crops• Approved plant protection chemicalsFigure 11 : Chilli Field under an IPM Programme45