Residue-free cumin production in western Rajasthan has been shown to be feasible through integrated pest management (IPM) protocols and good agriculture practices (GAP), with participating farmers earning 25 per cent higher realisations than the prevailing market price, according to a report in The Hindu BusinessLine's Agri_TIO. Output of 'IPM cumin' has already reached 35,000 tonnes and has the potential to rise to 1 lakh (100,000) tonnes, stakeholders told the publication.
The IPM module behind the premium
The DBT-funded Biotech-KISAN Hub for the Western Dry Region developed an integrated approach to cumin farming and value-chain development, implemented by the South Asia Biotechnology Centre (SABC), Jodhpur, and ICAR-National Research Centre on Seed Spices (NRCSS), Ajmer. Between 2019 and 2024, the hub generated modules and promoted a package of practice through field demonstrations, training programmes and distribution of inputs and plant protection products across the key cumin-growing districts of western Rajasthan. It also ensured buy-back arrangements with corporates and exporters through the FPOS in the sector.
Bhagirath Choudhary, Founder Director of SABC, said IPM cumin fetched a 24 per cent premium over the market price for demonstration farmers on average, while reducing the cost of procurement by 25-35 per cent per acre through effective management of fungal disease and insect pests. The report added that participating farmers' realisations were 25 per cent higher than the market price.
Export pull and corporate offtake
Demand from Europe, China, Japan, South Korea and the United States, together with a strong field presence of spices companies, is driving the scale-up, Choudhary said. "Supported by the DBT Biotech Kisan Hub, farmers have already scaled IPM cumin production to nearly 35,000 tonnes, with the potential to reach 100,000 tonnes in the coming years," he was quoted as saying.
The initiative involves a broad stakeholder group including Apeda, the Spices Board, State agri and local government departments, and companies such as ITC, SRK Spices, Janta Global, Swani Spices, BKB Industries, Rapid Organics, PJM Industries, the Federation of Indian Spice Stakeholders (FISS) and Balaji.
Institutional backing, incentives and buyer interest
Vinay Bharadwaj, Director of ICAR-NRCSS, Ajmer, said the bio formulations used in IPM are now proven, and expansion requires funding. He called on corporates, the industry, the Spices Board and research agencies to come together and fund such an initiative.
Krishna Kant, scientist at NRCSS, said farmers are now getting aware of the biological formulations used in IPM. The financial incentive of Rs 5,000 per quintal over the market price for residue-free cumin provided by Gujarat is also attracting farmers' interest, he noted.
Hanif Khan of Barmer-based Janta Global, which sources IPM cumin directly from farmers for large companies and exporters, said growers are becoming aware of the advantages of chemical-free farming as it reduces the cost of cultivation and fetches prices higher than the market. Farmers growing IPM cumin do not need to search for buyers, as the buyers themselves are landing at the doorsteps of such farmers given the growing demand for residue-free products in Europe and the US, he said. Farmers well versed in IPM and GAP are now moving towards producing organic cumin, Khan added.
Key metrics at a glance
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Farmer realisations vs market price | 25% higher (participating); 24% premium (demonstration) |
| Cost reduction per acre | 25-35% |
| Current IPM cumin output | ~35,000 tonnes |
| Potential output | 100,000 tonnes |
| Gujarat incentive for residue-free cumin | Rs 5,000 per quintal |
Choudhary drew a parallel with Maharashtra's grape transformation:
Just as Maharashtra transformed grape cultivation through Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Rajasthan is now demonstrating how science-led, location-specific IPM protocols can shift farmers from chemical-intensive production to high-value, pesticide residue-free cumin that meets stringent international standards.
He described Rajasthan's success as "a defining milestone" in India's journey towards sustainable, residue-free agriculture.
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