SPICES AND THEIR SUITABILITY
Spices and their suitability
The worldwide experience demonstrates that boutique spice farming appears to be successful in areas where there is a limitation on other income opportunities. It may be due to difficult market access. Thus far, South Pacific countries are no exception. So, some of the best vanilla, cinnamon, and pepper come from the remote islands in the Pacific.
This isolation creates a peculiar marketing challenge. So, a spice industry was set up with 300 to 400 village farmers. They may not produce enough to enter the bulk world spice market. Hence, the prices in such markets may not justify the production and marketing costs.
Niche markets
Thus, it is important to create a niche specialty market. So, farmers need to cultivate superior varieties of spices. It helps to fetch premium prices for top-quality produce. In fact, using the ‘romance’ of the product’s origin helps to market boutique products. So far, most of the South Pacific farmers are meeting the high-quality demands of these niche markets. The respective governments and farmers’ networks are providing information on processing and marketing.
In fact, the farmers have the ability to grow high-grade spices in remote locations. It is the transition to new products like vanilla is challenging. Thus, the transition is a tough task. It is mostly because farmers are too used to traditional cash crops. These crops are cocoa, kava, copra, and coffee. It is possible because these crops tolerate a certain degree of neglect. With these crops, some products can sell if the quality is second grade.
Top-notch produce
So, for crops such as vanilla and pepper, the quality needs to be top-notch. The niche market demands premium quality. There is no compromise. Hence, farmers require up-to-date information on new crops. Farmers mostly need new knowledge. Thus far, the management is intensive. So, the support system needs to provide high-quality training to the farmers. Specific training and support are crucial to providing farmers with opportunities for an easier transition.
Overall labour input is not necessarily high. However, during certain times of production, it is intensive and requires skills. Thus far, the timing of inputs is crucial. It is important to follow a proper management regime. Otherwise, there is little to no production. So, the quality may be poor too. Thus, there is no market for poor-quality produce in the niche markets.
Socio-economic factors
There are certain socio-economic factors that favours spice crops like vanilla and pepper. Especially for the farmers living in remote areas. Thus, it suits farmers who are in isolation from markets. They would mostly rely on the expensive and infrequent transport system. Hence, it is often difficult to sell their harvest. So, crops with a very high value-to-weight ratio suit these farmers the best. They do not perish quickly and are inherently attractive.
Thus far, most exotic farms target the tourist market with their produce. The products are often split beans, essence, and paste. Then, most farms target niche export markets. These are explored through fine food expos in overseas countries. Hence, during the next phase, it progresses to processed spices. Thus far, it includes peppercorn, both green and black, ginger, vanilla, turmeric, and chilli peppers. The volumes are mostly small; however, the quality is exceptionally good.
Niche export markets
So, as the niche export market develops, it becomes clearer that there is a much greater need for more produce. Hence, the industry recognises the market demand. So, they react accordingly to fulfill the orders. Thus far, most cultivators use traditional farming systems. Horticultural gardening is the basis for these traditional farming methods. It focuses on individual plants like taro and yams. Thus, vanilla and pepper plants fall into this group.
Many farmers are smallholder growers. So, it secures their revenue. When farmed correctly, a reasonable income is possible. Thus, for remote village farmers from a farm of 100 to 200 spice plants, it is a lucrative venture. So, the land area requirement is sufficiently small. The land is obtained through traditional leasing arrangements. Hence, these are ideal crops to grow in home gardens. They require regular care, however little chemical fertiliser.
