Kerala’s capital will host the second edition of the International Spice Conference, one of the most important events for the spice industry, from February 12-14.

Suresh Narayanan, Chairman and Managing Director, Nestle India, will inaugurate the event on Sunday. Vinayak Narain, President, American Spice Trade Association, will preside.

Wide participation

Over 700 delegates representing various States, industry leaders from 40 countries, representatives of international spice associations, policymakers and end-users are expected to attend.

It will discuss effective strategies and innovative technologies to improve the livelihood of farmers; address industry challenges, food safety concerns and demand supply disparity; and seek to foster sustainable growth.

The event is being hosted by the All India Spices Exporters Forum (AISEF), which represents about 80 per cent of spices exports, in association with the Cochin Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Central theme

Prakash Namboodiri, Chairman, AISEF, told newspersons in Kochi that the central theme of the conference would be ‘21st century spice industry: Disrupt or be disrupted.’

Rajiv Palicha, Vice-Chairman, AISEF, and Ramkumar Menon, Chairman of the Business & Conference Committee, were also present. In tune with the theme of disruption, it employs innovations such as the ISC-AISEF app, which enables seamless interaction among the industry pioneers, speakers, exhibitors and delegates.

Special sessions

Multi-track sessions and panel discussions will be held during the three days of the event covering current topics pertaining to the spices sector. Special sessions will be held for crop reports on turmeric, coriander, onion, garlic, herbs, with audio visuals from the field and interviews with farmers.

Eminent industry leaders will be honoured with lifetime achievement awards on the inaugural day. A spice tour that covers the tropical spice plantations in Kerala and the chilli farms in Andhra Pradesh has also been arranged.

The conference is expected to give Kerala as the host State a clear edge in acquiring innovations in the spice sector as also the direct attention of global spice markets, Namboodiri said.

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