The Executive Council meeting of Indian Society for Spices (ISS) was held on 20.12.2023,10.00 AM at Central Facility, ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research, Kozhikode. The meeting was presided by Dr. K Kandiannan, President, ISS. The meeting began with a formal welcome by the President, ISS,  Dr. Kandiannan. The meeting considered the following agenda for discussion.
(1) Minutes of the last EC Meeting
(2) Discussion about SYMSAC XI
(3)  Continuation of SYMSAC Website
(4)  Identification of new Honorary Patrons
(5) Raising the amount of subscription for different categories of memberships (Ordinary,Life, Sustaining, Institutional and Patrons)
(6) Status of JOSAC upcoming issue
(7) Status of ISS Newsletter
(8) Membership Drive
(9) Treasurer’s report
(10) Sponsored the dinner of AGM, AICRPS in Collaboration with Tata Coffee
(11) Any other items….

An exclusive FARMERS SEMINAR on "Scientific and Technological Approaches for Sustainable Spices Production" was organized FIRST TIME by the Indian Society for Spices, Kozhikode, in collaboration with ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research, Kozhikode, on September 14, 2023, at ICAR-IISR, Regional Station, Appangala, Madikeri, Karnataka. The program was inaugurated by Professor Ashok S Alur, Vice-Chancellor of Kodagu University, Kushalnagar, in the presence of esteemed dignitaries, including Dr. R. Dinesh, Director of ICAR-IISR, Kozhikode; Dr. K. Kandiannan, Principal Scientist and President of the Indian Society for Spices (ISS); Dr. M.N. Venugopal, Former Head of ICAR-IISR, RS, Appangala; Dr. S. J. Ankegowda, Head of the Regional Station, Appangala, and Vice President of the Society; and Mr. Bose Mandanna, Former Vice-President of the Coffee Board. Additionally, there were other notable attendees, including the Assistant Director of the Spices Board, Madikeri; the Head of CHES, Chettalli; the Deputy Director (Research) of CCRI, Sub Station, Chettalli and the Head of KVK, Gonikoppal. Dr V Srinivasan, and Dr Sheeja, T E, HOD’s of ICAR-IISR and Executive Members of ISS - Dr Sharon Aravind (Secretary) , Dr Maneesha S R (Treasurer) , Dr R Gobu (Joint Secretary) and Mr. Manjunath B. D (EC Member) and many ISS Members were also present. During the event, high-yielding hybrid of Black pepper named IISR Chandra was unveiled. Additionally, an e-newsletter from ISS, an e-manual containing seminar lecture notes and leaflet from ISS were also released. The seminar emphasized on recent advances in improved varieties, production and plant protection technologies of black pepper, cardamom and ginger. AnMoU was also signed between ICAR-IISR, Kozhikode and Kodagu University, Chikka Aluvara, Kushalnagar, intended to facilitate collaboration in education, research and training related to spices, marking a pivotal step towards advancing knowledge and innovation in this field. During the seminar, the lectures were focusing on black pepper, cardamom and ginger covering the major topics viz., varietal wealth by Dr. Shivakumar M.S. Scientist, ICAR-IISR, RS, Appangala; Nutrient management by Dr. S. J. Ankegowda, Head, Regional Station, Appangala; Critical factors in cultivation of spices by Dr. M.N. Venugopal, Former Head of ICAR-IISR, RS, Appangala; Disease management by Dr. C.N. Biju, Principal Scientist, ICAR-IISR, Kozhikode; Pest management by Dr. Balaji Rajkumar M and harvest and post-harvest technology by Dr. Akshitha H.J. Scientist, ICAR-IISR, RS, Appangala. An exhibition showcasing technologies of ICAR-IISR was also arranged for the benefit of farmers. The event saw participation from more than 150 farmers from various regions of Karnataka, making it a valuable seminar. Dr. Honnappa Asangi, proposed a vote of Thanks.

The annual general body meeting of the Indian Society for Spices was held on 5 January 2023 at ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research, Kozhikode on hybrid mode. Dr. S. J. Ankegowda, Vice President, ISS presided over the meeting and also welcomed the members. Dr. C.N. Biju, Secretary, ISS presented proceedings of the previous General Body Meeting held on 27 May 2020 and Secretary’s report for the period, June 2020 to December 2022. The General Body approved the proceedings and the Secretary’s report pertaining to previous years. Ms. R. Sivaranjani, Treasurer, ISS presented the audited accounts of the Society for the period April 2021 to March 2022, which was approved by the general body.

Dr. A. Ishwara Bhat, Editor-in-Chief, the Journal of Spices and Aromatic Crops (JOSAC), presented the Editor’s report. Mr. John George, Chief Technical Officer, ICAR-IISR, Kozhikode and the returning officer of the election of ISS office bearers for the period 2022-2024 declared the results. The following members were declared elected unopposed: President: Dr. K. Kandiannan, Principal Scientist, ICAR– IISR; Vice President: Dr. S. J. Ankegowda, Principal Scientist and Head (i/c), ICAR– IISR, Regional Station, Appangala; Secretary: Dr. Sharon Aravind, Scientist, ICAR– IISR, Kozhikode; Executive Council members- Dr. M. Tamil Selvan, Additional Commissioner (Horticulture), Rtd, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Govt. of India, Dr. V.V. Radhakrishnan, Professor, Department of Botany & Dean, University of Calicut, Dr. K. Abhirami, Senior Scientist, Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI), Port Blair; E. Jayashree, Principal Scientist, ICAR– IISR, Kozhikode and Dr. Anees K., Senior Scientist, ICAR– IISR, Kozhikode. The General Body unanimously elected Dr. Gobu R, Scientist, ICAR-IISR, Kozhikode as Joint Secretary and Dr. Maneesha S. R. Scientist, ICAR-IISR, Kozhikode as Treasurer. The GB appointed Mr. P. A. Thankachan as the Auditor for the period 2023-24. The new Executive Council assumed charge immediately after the declaration and approval of results by the General Body. New EC thanked the outgoing team for their best efforts to conduct the International Symposium, many online meetings, webinars, and upgrading JOSAC, etc., and assured to do the best possible services to ISS. The GB members approved the proposal of a separate Editorial platform for JOSAC which will additionally cost Rs. 46000/-annum. It was also decided to continue the publication ISS Newsletter. The new EC will nominate the Editorial Team for the ISS Newsletter and decide the periodicity of publication and other relevant issues. The meeting was concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Dr. C.N. Biju, Secretary, ISS.

The Indian Society for Spices (ISS) founded during 1991 has been contributing to the cause of spices, aromatic and allied crops for the last two decades. It is a functioning forum for exchange of ideas among policy makers, researchers, growers, traders and developmental agencies and a platform to discuss on various issues. The society has been organizing national seminars, symposia for increasing the interaction with farmers, traders, industries, manufacturers, etc. SASRD,Medziphema Campus is one of the premiere technical institute of the state and one of the four campuses under Nagaland University established in the year 1994 , catering to the need of manpower in the entire region of North East, offering undergraduate and post graduate degree program. It has 60 plus faculties in 12 different descipline of agriculture and have more than 500 students from across the country. Besides it’s main mandate of producing manpower requirement of the region, it contribute immensely to technology generation through research and demonstrations and also provides extension services and also facilitation to various state government and other organisations programs .