Integrated Scheme for Export Promotion & Quality Improvement in Spices and Research and Development of Cardamom: Export Oriented Production: Large Cardamom Certified Nursery (Unit)

• 33.33% of the cost of production of planting material subject to a maximum of ₹ 3 per seedling for the General Category.
• 75% of the cost of production of planting material @ ₹ 6.75 per seedling for SC/ST.

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> Time of Payment

Payment of subsidy will be in the succeeding year of planting the mother suckers/ seeds for multiplication in the nursery and satisfactory production of suckers/seedlings.

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> Mode of Payment

Eligible assistance will be paid to beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), except for specific cases like QGBG, weather-based insurance for cardamom (small), and distribution of polythene sheets.

Individual growers/farmers groups having suitable land and facility for irrigating the nursery.

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> Area of Operation

Sikkim, Darjeeling &amp; Kalimpong districts of West Bengal &amp; other NE States.

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> Modalities

• Allotment of units will be multiples of 500 with a minimum of 1000 nos. to a maximum of 5000 nos. per beneficiary.
• Farmers will start nursery follow-up visits will be conducted by the Field Staff and necessary technical guidance will be rendered for successful production of planting materials.
• Planting materials produced in the nurseries will be used for replanting / gap filling by the applicants and the balance will be supplied to the neighbouring/needy farmers at an optimum price not exceeding the market price. Designated Officials will conduct final inspections and recommend the eligible cases.

> Step 1: Application Submission

Applicants submit their applications with necessary document copies to Field Offices in major spice-growing regions of the country. The applications are entered into the system (GMS) and screened for eligibility based on criteria.

> Step 2: Additional Document Submission

Applicants may be required to submit extra documents if requested by the concerned officer, such as SC/ST certificates, legal heirship certificates, and more.

> Step 3: Legal Entity Requirement for Farmers Groups

Farmer groups seeking assistance must be a legal entity (e.g., Reg. Society/FPC/FPO/SHG/SPS). An agreement must be executed with the Board in the prescribed format on a ₹200/- stamp paper.

> Step 4: Inspection and Recommendation

Officers will issue a conditional permit order after preliminary inspection (if applicable). A final inspection will be conducted by the officer in charge upon successful completion of the activity or purchase of equipment. The date of successful completion communication will determine the &quot;first-come-first-serve&quot; criteria for recommending eligible cases for sanction. Eligible cases will be recommended to the appropriate authority for sanction.