JAIPUR, 19 September 2026: The World Spice Organisation (WSO), technical partner of the All-India Spices Exporters Forum (AISEF), inaugurated the 5th National Spice Conference (NSC) 2026 at the Novotel Jaipur Convention Centre on September 19.
Held under the theme “Empowering Farmers, Protecting Consumers,” the two-day conference brings together farmers, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), exporters, processors, policymakers, regulators, researchers and technology providers to address challenges across India’s spice value chain.
The inaugural session featured Ramkumar Menon, Chairman, WSO; M. S. Manivannan, Secretary, Spices Board; Manju Rajpal, Principal Secretary, Agriculture & Horticulture Department, Government of Rajasthan; and Ganapathy K D, Business Committee Chairman, NSC 2026.
Menon said the future of India’s spice sector depends on creating greater value for farmers while maintaining high standards of food safety and quality. He also highlighted sustainability, responsible sourcing, traceability and market access as important priorities.
Manivannan said improving farmer livelihoods must go hand in hand with quality, food safety and market access. He highlighted the role of technology, capacity building and responsible practices in improving productivity and strengthening India’s position in global spice markets.
The first day covered farmer empowerment and income growth, sustainability and responsible sourcing, food safety and consumer protection, innovation and future readiness, and farmer challenges and crop outlook.
Discussions highlighted the importance of post-harvest infrastructure, digital traceability, advanced testing, processing, warehousing and farm-level technologies in creating a more efficient and sustainable spice ecosystem.
The conference will continue on September 20, with sessions on organic farming regulations and certifications, the role of FPOs in consumer protection and food safety, and buyer requirements. The event will conclude with a Buyer–Seller Meet aimed at strengthening market linkages between producers and buyers.
