Vanilla cultivation a new feet

' Vanilla India 2004'- A National Seminar and Exhibition on Vanilla
A national seminar and exhibition is being organized on vanilla in Bangalore on the 13th and 14th of February 2004 at J N Tata Auditorium, National Science Seminar Complex, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. This is the first of its kind seminar being conducted on such a large scale.

Vanilla is still the big money spinner and the second most expensive spice after saffron.The world demand for natural vanilla is 20,000 tonnes and the world production is only 3000 tonnes. Hence the potential is so much that the next 25 years India could launch on a vanilla green revolution and on an average it fetches Rs.10,000 for a kg of dried beans which translates to one million rupees for 100 kgs. of dried beans. Hence, it has become real jackpot for farmers in India. Vanilla is often referred to as Green Gold and the Prince of Spices.

India is in the same plateaux as mexico where this wonder orchid originated and hence the Indian conditions are conducive for the cultivation of vanilla and infact the quality of vanilla produced in India is much above the average of internatinal standards The seminar and exhibition is being recognized and supported by Spices Board, ministry of Commerce, Government of India, Department of Horticulture, Government of Karnataka and Vanilla Development Trust Karnataka.

This seminar will address issues on global scenario,production and demand, cultivation aspects and upkeep of the plant, pollination, diseases and pest control, organic cultivation, processing and curing, packing, storing,tissue culture and marketing. The event will also draw participation of Exhibition stalls from vanilla nurseries, shade net manufacturers, drip irrigation dealers, consultants, organic manure companies, financial institutions, buying agencies, agriculture publications and vanilla growers association etc.

This platform will be the largest congregation of the vanilla industry. Eminent speakers from International Flavours and Fragrances, AVT McCormick, Spices Board, Indian Institute of Spices Research, Kotecha and Company,Growmore Biotech, Vanilla Development Trust, Pioneer cultivators and industry experts will address the delegates. The highlight of the seminar is that apart from English there will be sessions in other languages such as Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi to facilitate the group to have better know-how on the subject from a special panel of speakers.

A special subject, Vanilla - A perspective from Madagascar will be addressed by Mr. Ykbal Hiridjee, Chairman, Trimeta Commodities, Madagascar, one of the largest vanilla companies. Madagascar is also the largest Vanilla producing country.

The seminar will benefit Cultivators, Processors and Extractors, Importers and Exporters Trading Houses, Students, Government Departments, Non-Government Organisations Businessmen looking for new opportunities, Academicians and Consultants, Contract Farming Agents, Financial institutions and Banks

Also the experienced farmers would be invited to share their expericences with the participants says Mr. Lokesh Babu, Managing Director of Unique Expositions.

This Seminar is organised by Bangalore based company M/s. Unique Expositions Pvt. Ltd who have successfully organised India PC Expo, a B2C exhibition on computer hardware and a seminar on Herbs and Medicinal Plants. The participation details can be had from Unique Expositions Pvt. Ltd, 514, Ranka Park, 1st floor, Lalbagh Road, (near richmond circle), Bangalore 560 027, Telefax : 080 - 51142611 (3 lines) Cell 9845550044, 9845550066