Photo: MintNew Delhi: The commerce ministry is planning merger of the commodity boards and set up an umbrella organisation in order to improve production and exports of plantation crops like tea, coffee and spices. The five commodity boards, under the ministry of commerce, are responsible for production, development and export of tea, coffee, rubber, spices and tobacco. So, we are working to form one specialised body with different verticals,” a senior commerce ministry official told PTI. The Tobacco Board was constituted in January, 1976, while the Spices Board was formed in February, 1987. In order to boost agri-exports, the commerce ministry has asked exporters to explore new markets and ship value-added products.

Source: Mint February 12, 2017 06:48 UTC