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SPICES IN THE
POST-COVID
SCENARIO
MAY 27 , 2020
WEBINAR REPORT
INDIAN SOCIETY FOR
SPICES
ORGANIZED BY
ICAR - INDIAN INST ITUTE
SPICES RESEARCH
SPICES IN THEPOST-COVIDSCENARIOProceedings of the Webinar Held on
27 May 2020 on Google Meet Platform
Compiled byLijo Thomas, C.N. Biju & Santhosh J. Eapen
Organized by
Indian Society for Spices
ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research
CONTENTS
OVERVIEW 2
INAUGURAL ADDRESS 3
Anand Kumar Singh
DDG (Hort. Sci.), ICAR, New Delhi
LEAD SPEAKERS 4
D. Sathiyan IFS
Secretary, Spices Board, Kochi
COMMENTS 8
Panel Members
RECOMMENDATIONS 1 1
T. Janakiram
ADG (Hort. II), ICAR, New Delhi
Gopal Lal
Director, NRC Seed Spices, Ajmer
Geemon Korah
CEO, M/s Kancor ingredients Ltd., Kochi
EPILOGUE 13
PROLOGUE 1
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
has impacted all facets of life across
the globe. It is now an accepted fact
that the reverberations of the
pandemic will have far reaching
consequences for all sectors of the
economy including agriculture and
allied sectors. Being a sector with high
degree of integration, both vertically
and horizontally, with a diverse range
of primary, industrial and service
activities, the adverse impacts on
agricultural sector can have a
cascading effect on other sectors as
well. Union Government and state
governments have initiated several
measures for effectively containing
the spread of the virus and for
providing treatment and relief to the
directly and indirectly affected
citizens of the country.
The spices sector in the country has
also been affected by the coronavirus
disease and its resultant economy
wide effects. The evolving scenario in
the production, processing and trade
of spices shall determine the fortunes
of the multitudes of stakeholders who
derive their livelihood from the sector,
either as primary producers or as
active agents in activities along the
complex spice value chains. During
2018-19 India produced 9.2 million
tonnes of spices from an area of 3.9
million hectares. India also plays a
significant role as the leading source
of spice extracts in the world. The
spices sector has consistently
punched above its weight in tis
contribution to agricultural exports
from the country. Spice crops
whichare grown in less than 2 per
cent of the gross cropped area
contribute 8.6 per cent of the
agricultural exports in value terms.
The cultivation, processing and value
addition activities in spices provide
employment to millions. The output
growth in spices surpassed that of
food grains, pulses and oilseeds in the
past decade and the sector holds
immense promise and potential
within the agricultural sector.
The diverse nature of activities in the
global spice value chain and the need
for cohesive functioning of all these
stakeholder communities makes it
imperative to have a consensus on the
outlines of strategy aimed for the
sector. Though this event happens at a
time when a state of fluidity is
palpable in the emerging scenarios,
an attempt to bring together the
diverse perspectives on the sector is
clearly needed. This event makes that
effort and brings together
representatives from key stakeholder
communities to share their concerns
and put forward their views in the
crafting of response strategies to
overcome the adverse impacts of the
pandemic. While providing a holistic
coverage of the issues at hand, this
also provides an opportunity for cross
functional understanding of the sector
and provide a platform for initiating
inter institutional ventures cutting
across stakeholder categories for
furthering the cause of the spice
sector in the country.
PROLOGUE
1
The Indian Society for Spices (ISS) in
collaboration with the ICAR-Indian
Institute of Spices Research (ICAR-
IISR), Kozhikode organized a Webinar
on ‘Spices in the post-COVID scenario’
on 27 May 2020. The webinar brought
together, various stakeholders in the
spices sector to discuss the elements
of a strategic response to the
challenges raised by the pandemic.
The platform was designed to evolve
pragmatic policy guidelines
benefiting the agricultural sector in
general and spice growers in
particular.
The Webinar had four speakers and
four panelists representing eminent
academicians, policy makers and
industry, prominent in spices sector.
Hon’ble Deputy Director General
(Hort. Science), Indian Council of
Agricultural Research (ICAR), Dr. A. K.
Singh inaugurated the Webinar. Dr.
Santhosh J. Eapen, President, ISS was
the moderated the discussions during
the webinar. More than 200
participants representing various
facets of spice sector including policy
makers, academicians, researchers,
industrialists, farmers and students
attended the Webinar.
Shri. D. Sathiyan IFS, Secretary, Spices
Board presented the various aspects
of the challenges faced in the
development and marketing of spices,
especially at the international level.
He also outlined the policy initiatives
undertaken by the Spices Board in
mitigating some of the key challenges
faced by the spice export houses. The
spice crop output in the post covid
scenario was discussed Dr. T.
Janakiram, Assistant Director General
(Hort. II), who presented the lead
lecture on Challenges and solutions in
major spices. He stressed the need to
provide robust support for spice
farming community for maintaining
the output of spices. Dr. Gopal Lal,
Director, ICAR-National Research
Centre on Seed Spices, deliberated on
the challenges and strategic
perspectives for the seed spices
sector. The industry perspective on
the issue was highlighted by Mr.
Geemon Korah, Chief Executive
Officer, M/s. Kancor Ingredients Ltd.,
Kochi.
Dr. K. Nirmal Babu, Director & Project
Coordinator (Spices), ICAR-IISR,
Kozhikode; Dr. Homey Cheriyan,
Director, Directorate of Arecanut &
Spices Development (DASD),
Kozhikode; Dr. J. Thomas, Advisor,
Peermade Development Society,
Idukki and Dr. P. S. Sreekantan
Thampi, Consultant, World Spice
Organization, Kochi served as the
panel members.
OVERVIEW
2
DR . A .K . SINGH
The Covid pandemic has created a sense
of dread among the farming community
with a range of uncertainties regarding
production and marketing of produce. As,
the public funded apex agricultural
research institution, it shall remain the first
and foremost concern of ICAR to support
and sustain the production and marketing
activities of the farming community and
to instill a sense of confidence in them.
This confidence should be real and
leveraged on ensuring availability of
planting material, technology
backstopping to mitigate production
constraints and innovative research
strategies with concrete outcomes with
practical application.
The research institutions should be
able to visualize the field level
problems and address them with
responsiveness and empathy needed
at this time. The research institutions
should be able to evolve strategies
for providing uninterrupted research
and development services under res-
“It shall remain the first andforemost concern of ICAR to supportand sustain the production andmarketing activities of the farmingcommunity and to instill a sense ofconfidence in them”
- Dr. A K Singh
trictions of movement and constrained
logistical services. This is also a time to
undertake skilling of the staff in
emerging digital tools and thereby
strengthen their ability to play critical
role in crop economy. An organization
like ICAR can use its extensive reach
and resources for skilling farmers to
interact and explore the emerging
crop economy and in adapting to the
changes in the value chain.
The use of spices and its extracts are
known to boost immunity. This global
pandemic can initiate a renewed
global quest for good quality spices,
centuries after the initial one. The time
may be right for the spice flavours to
consolidate its position in the global
markets. Increased production should
be concomitant with a deepening and
diversification of the market demand
to avoid a secular decline in terms of
trade of spice commodities. The
research on high value compounds in
spices also need to be strengthened
with a focus on finding new
applications across nutraceutical,
pharmaceutical and wellness industry.
We should also look to work in close
coordination and enhanced
involvement of grass root institutions
and farmer collectives to address the
diverse challenges. This will also form
the corner stone of our key objective of
ensuring adequate supply of safe
spices in the spice value chain.
3
Deputy Director General (Hort. Sci.),
ICAR, New Delhi
As the world gears up to meet the
challenges in the aftermath of covid
pandemic, the Indian spices sector has a
critical role to play in global spice trade.
The onus is on Indian spice sector to
ensure uninterrupted supply of spices.
While reflecting on the strategies for
achieving this, we can clearly see that the
situation also presents a huge opportunity
for the spices sector to reinvent itself as a
trustworthy source of high quality spices.
The increasing stringency in food safety
and quality norms, imposed by the
importing countries, should be used as a
trigger for installing better quality and
food safety compliance systems in spices
value chain. The process of enhancing the quality of
the spices starts right from the farmer
field and continues along the entire
value chain. The Spices Board is taking
an active role in the implementation of
IndGAP certification standards in spices
sector with crop based modules. The
Board hopes that the certification
process can be a game changer quality
and food safety in spice commodities.
The Board will also provide concrete
support and promote internationally
accepted quality certifications in
manufacturing and processing units. The
safety of personnel engaged in the spice
industry is of paramount importance and
the guidelines for personnel safety codif-
ied by WHO/Government of India need to
be followed in letter and spirit. The Spices Board has also taken several
measures to address specific issues related
to commodities and trade partners at the
global level. The disruption in e-auction of
cardamom could be addressed with the
proposed integration of the auction
process with the e-NAM platform. The
Board has given relaxations in certification
requirements to non-EU countries, which
should facilitate fast processing of export
commitments during this time.
Programmes like National Sustainable
Spice Programme (NSSP) implemented in
collaboration with world Spice
Organization and Standards and Trade
Development Facility of WTO can reap rich
dividends for the spices sector in terms of
meeting global standards of food safety
and sustainability.
The fragmented mandate in developing
spices sector, notwithstanding, all the
institutional stakeholders are inalienably
connected to the farming community and
the mandate should not be a constraint in
working in close coordination for crafting a
vibrant spice economy in the country.
MR . D . SATHIYAN , IFS
“The Board will provide concretesupport and promote internationallyaccepted quality certifications inmanufacturing and processing unitsin the spices sector”
- Mr. D Sathiyan, IFS
4
Secretary, Spices Board, Kochi, Kerala
The spices sector is unique among the sub
components of agriculture, with its
presence across several cropping systems
as a cash crop, its export orientation and
non-perishable nature. The evolving
scenario in the spices sector is being
closely monitored by ICAR and its
constituent institutes. In case of crops like
black pepper, ginger and turmeric, the
harvest season was almost over except in a
few regions. The summer management in
perennial crops like black pepper,
cardamom and tress spices like nutmeg
and clove were also impacted due to the
restrictions imposed by the pandemic. The
land preparation and other activities for
the ginger and turmeric crop of 2020-21
has been significantly affected. Delayed
planting and compromised land
preparation in these crops can reduce the
output in these crops, especially in the
case of ginger. The regular nature of plant
protection operations in cardamom crop
and the 6-8 rounds of harvesting cycles
practiced means that the prolonged
period of disruption in input supply chains
and marketing will adversely affect the
crop output in the next season.
The full impacts of the pandemic will be
played out over the upcoming cropping
seasons. We should be geared up to
provide technology backstopping to meet
the varied challenges. It could be
compromised land preparation, non-
availability of labour for critical operations,
plant protection issues under constrained
input conditions etc. But, the research
network should be able to provide
expected technological support for these
adversities. Short and focused crop
management research modules which
can yield, even if ad hoc, advisories to the
farming community need to be pursued.
We see that in most of the spices, the
production is highly skewed in a few
districts mostly less than 50 or so. Though
there are risks associated with this
geographical concentration, it also
presents an opportunity to aggressively
protect and push technologies with an
aim to avoid supply shocks. Looking
ahead, we would like the research and
development agencies to develop more
ability to adapt and reduce the time
frames for response. In short, we want
them to be more street smart along with
maintenance of requisite academic rigour.
The research on medicinal properties of
spices, new applications in wellness
industry and exploration of high value
compounds could all be useful in the
current situation. The convergence and
coordinated efforts of all the major pillars
of the spice economy is essential to design
critical interventions in the system.
DR . T . JANAKIRAM
“The full impacts of the pandemic willbe played out over the upcomingcropping seasons. We should begeared up to provide technologybackstopping to meet the variedchallenges. ”
- Dr . T . Janakiram
5
Asst. Director General (Hort. Sci.), ICAR, New Delhi
The seed spices sector in India is very
important in terms of its contribution to
spices trade, both at the domestic level
and at the global level. The impact on
primary production was limited due to the
fact that the harvesting of seed spices like
cumin and fennel were nearing
completion when the lockdown became
effective in the country. However, some
areas were affected due to delay in
harvest, especially in crops like fennel and
ajwain, where the peak harvesting season
falls in April. The non-availability of
packing material, the lack of labour for
conducting post harvest operations, the
unplanned storage levels at the farm level
and the disruptions in the movement of
the commodity affected the sector
significantly. The locust problem which
occurred in several seed spice growing
regions accentuated the constraints
experienced by the seed spice production
sector.
The compromised levels of operations in
post-harvest handling including cleaning,
grading and packing of the produce raises
significant challenges in quality
management of the procured spices.
Maintaining the quality profile of the
commodity would be the immediate
major challenge in seed spices. The
relaxations in certification requirements
here does not imply a relaxation in quality
parameters in the export destinations.
Some of the inadequacies of the APMC act
were highlighted during this time. The
disruption of activities of APMCs during this
time should serve as a wake-up call to
evolve mechanisms to counter such
situations in future so that the trade and
procurement operations are not affected.
Carefully crafted policies on relaxing the
APMC acts at such times and providing
more flexibility, options and market access
for the farming community for the disposal
of their produce would be a welcome
move. The farmer collectives in spices
sector need to be promoted through price
and non-price incentives so that the small
holder producers can access better services
and marketing facilities through collective
strength.
The research on high value compounds in
spice commodities and development of
rapid testing facilities for measurement of
key quality parameters also require urgent
attention. A special task force on the spices
sector, an important constituent of
agricultural sector with a vivid export
orientation, could be entrusted with the
task of developing a cohesive strategy for
overall growth and development of the
spices sector in the country.
DR . GOPAL LAL
“The compromised levels of operationsin post-harvest handling includingcleaning, grading and packing of theproduce raises significant challengesin quality management of theprocured spices”
- Dr . Gopal La l
6
Director, NRC Seed Spices, Ajmer, Rajasthan
The responses to the covid pandemic
should internalize the nuances of the
spices sector in India, both on the
production aspects and the industrial
processing and trade aspects. Nearly 98
per cent of the total spice production in
the country comes from small holdings
and this perspective should not be lost in
devising strategies and contemplating
responses. From an industry perspective,
about 65 per cent of the spice extraction
activities is carried out from India giving it
a unique position in the global spice value
chains.
The high shelf stability of the spice
commodities and the awareness about
the immunity boosting properties of
spices has generated an increased
demand for spices and its value added
extracts. The increased demand also arises
from a preponement of the normally
staggered export demand over a period to
overcome possible future disruptions in
the supply chain. The demand for safe
and sustainable spices and its extracted
products might find a significant increase
in demand and it would be prudent to
reap the benefits of through planned
approach in meeting the demand, both at
the domestic and global level.
Ensuring food safety and meeting stringent
pesticide residue norms of export
destinations would require vast changes in
the production and policy environment
prevailing in the sector. The recent move to
ban the use of some of the pesticides,
which have outlived their utility, is a
welcome step. A comprehensive initiative
to harmonize the availability and use of
plant protection chemicals with
internationally accepted standards need to
be undertaken. This would involve
providing the farming community with a
cafeteria of easily biodegradable pesticides
for safe use in spice cultivation and require
coordinated action by Central Insecticide
Board, agricultural departments and
research establishment.
Enhanced use of bio-pesticides in
spices cultivation would be a
welcome change and this sector looks
promisingly ripe for new entrants of
all hues, techno-preneurs, agri-
startups and the like, in the sphere of
technology generation and
commercialization.
MR . GEEMON KORAH
"Ensuring food safety and meetingstringent pesticide residue normsof export destinations wouldrequire vast changes in theproduction and policy environmentprevailing in the sector."
- Mr . Geemon Korah
7
CEO, M/s Kancor Ingredients Ltd., Kochi, Kerala
As the host institute, it gives us immense
pleasure to be instrumental in a detailed
discussion on the possible impact of the
covid pandemic on the spices production,
marketing and trade. In these difficult
times, a concerted and coordinated effort
from the various stakeholder communities
is important to mitigate the adverse effects
of the pandemic.
Despite the various constraints, the ability
of the spices sector to sustain production
and productivity amidst disruptions was
on display. It seems that, robust support for
the primary producers with appropriate
technology inputs for meeting the
increasingly challenging production and
market environment can ward off
concerns about the availability of raw
material. As a research institute, we are
well aware of the need to maintain an
active dialogue with sectors having
dynamic linkages with the primary
production sector.
The easing of the restrictions have ensured
that the primary production process could
carry on, even with attendant constraints.
There is also a huge expectation from the
agricultural sector. As the primary provider
of employment, the agricultural sector will
be expected to provide more wage
employment opportunities for the
returning migrant laborers in the rural
areas. The reverse migration of labour has
affected agriculturally progressive regions
across the country, but the availability of
these laborers at their lesser developed rural
origins can be leveraged to push
agricultural growth in those regions. The
opportunities for spice crops in this context
need to be identified and nurtured with an
area specific approach focusing on non-
traditional areas with low agricultural
development index.
We are cautiously optimistic that the ability
of the spice production sector to meet the
requirements of the country has not been
compromised significantly. We also also
hope that the effect of the pandemic will
be marginal for the upcoming rabi plantingseason of 2020-21 and the Kharif seasonfollowing that. The pandemic has already
triggered a perceptional shift among some
of the key sectors, which could be of benefit
to the spices sector. There is palpable
interest in developing new products,
especially food and beverage products,
which can deliver calibrated doses of spices
as a nutritional supplement. Though spices
have been known for its properties as an
immune-booster, the product development
efforts were well below the desired levels.
Many traditional Indian health drink
formulations, most of them with a healthy
infusion of spices, are also finding a
commercial interest. Collaborative work
has already started with industry partners in
developing spice infused food and
beverage products.. The product
development research should receive
increased attention of the researchers of
both public and privately funded R&D
laboratories.
DR . K . NIRMALBABU
8
Director, ICAR-IISR, Kozhikode, Kerala
As the entire world prepares for more
stringent application of food safety
norms, we must re-evaluate our research
priorities to suit those changing
sentiments. In case of spices, the food
safety issues are mainly interlinked with
pesticide residues in the products. The
sector also faces a specific problem since
a significant quantity is exported in the
form of concentrated oleoresins other
extracts which accentuate and aggravate
the problem of pesticide residues.
Starting from crop management and
crop protection strategies and right
through the entire processing and value
chain, innovations and standards need to
be imposed for achieving the desired
levels of food safety.
The availability of new generation
molecules of chemical and biological
origin, meeting the most stringent food
safety concerns would be ideal for a
primary producer. They also have the right
to expect the research establishment to
deliver such inputs which are safe and
effective. A technology push for promoting
the use of biologicals and safe chemicals
need to be considered. Each constituent,
be it research, industry or development
institution, brings to the table, a unique set
of core competency, all of which are
equally needed to address a crisis of this
proportion. This is the time to shed our
apprehensions, inhibitions and apathy in
forging strategic and creative ties with one
another. We seek support from all the
constituents, and request to contribute
resources, goodwill and competence to
steward the response initiatives.
DR . HOMEY CHERIYAN
The COVID has totally disrupted the
supply chain in spices. Right from
availability of planting materials to
supply of raw produce for the processing
industries is severely affected by the
lockdown imposed across the country.
The inter and intra state travel
restrictions have severely hampered the
movement of seed materials which
coupled with the shortage of migrant
laborers resulted in delayed planting of
ginger and turmeric in several parts of
the country.
9
The Directorate is interacting with all
its partner institutions across the
spices development sector for
ensuring availability of good quality
planting material during the planting
season. The planting and other
production activities in the major
spice production hubs are being
monitored to ensure adequate supply
of spices. Being the nodal agency to
accredit black pepper nurseries, the
Directorate will ensure spread of
improved varieties developed over a
period of years. Director, DASD, Kozhikode, Kerala
The immediate responses from public
institutions and private sector should
invariably focus on mitigation of manifest
constraints in procurement of spices and
availability of critical inputs for continuing
the production activity. However, the
spices sector should have a long term
perspective with sustainable and safe
production practices as its cornerstone.
This perspective starts from a basic
concern for maintaining and enhancing
the soil health and fertility of our major
production zones, where a deterioration in
soil quality is being increasingly felt.
Care must be taken to ensure that the
commercialization and mainstreaming
of small holder spice farming should
not be at the expense of the rich spice
biodiversity at the major traditional
production zones. Small holders and
their collectives require persistent hand
holding in developing adequate storage
facilities, adopting food safety
management systems, exploring new
markets and in catering to demands for
niche products derived from spices.
They also need to explore alternate
channels for direct marketing of the
produce.
DR . J . THOMAS
The disruption in movement of spice
samples from the procurement points to
the accredited labs and the consequent
delay in getting the samples tested and
getting confirmation of the quality of the
produce affected the movement of the
spices in the value chain significantly.
Though we have never witnessed a
disruption of similar scale in our collective
memories, it is time to develop an alternate
system to address similar disruptions and to
enhance the efficiency of the sample testing
process flow.
The concept on “Instant Labs” at the points
of procurement may be a way out.
DR. P. S. SREEKANTAN THAMPI
The developments in the field of rapid
quality testing methodologies need to be
evaluated and consensus on the protocols
for its use and legal framework for the use
of the test reports need to be designed in
consultation with relevant stakeholders.
The skilling of local labour pool in operations
related to production and post-harvest
operations of spices can address the
disruption in availability of migrant labour for
such semi-skilled operations. Apart from
public funded institutions, the private sector
can also undertake such human resource
development activities for the larger interest
of the spices economy.
10
Adviser, Peermade Development Society,Idukki, Kerala
Consultant, World Spice Organisation, Kochi,Kerala
RECOMMENDATIONS
ACTIONABLE POINTS
Considering the increasing concerns on
food safety and quality of spices in the
export destinations, ICAR-Indian Institute
of Spices Research and ICAR-National
Research Centre on Seed Spices should
undertake a thorough review of the
package of practices of spices cultivation
and bring out a comprehensive package
of Good Agricultural Practices to be
followed in each crop.
Research institutes and AICRPS should
provide technical support to the and
GAP programme in spices based on
specific needs identified by the Spices
Board.
An evaluation of planting material
availability across the country in spice
crops may be undertaken by Directorate
of Arecanut and Spices Development on
an urgent basis to identify and address
critical gaps for the current season.
A crop-wise national strategy document
has to be prepared by ICAR-IISR and
ICAR-NRCSS for addressing the
constraints imposed by the
Covid pandemic.
11
Review and monitoring of the
evolving situation may be
coordinated by Spices Board through
monthly meetings with all
institutional stakeholders to flag
emerging issues and address
operational issues in trade and
marketing of spices
Spices Board in collaboration with
ICAR-IISR and ICAR-NRCSS should
initiate field testing and validation of
existing technologies for rapid quality
testing and the WSO may kindly
indicate the list of technologies for
this purpose. This validation is
essential for evolving guidelines for
their use and acceptance in trade and
general commerce as a standard
practice. The results of validation can
be used by Spices Board for evolving
such guidelines.
The new generation bio-pesticides
developed by the public sector and
private sector need to be evaluated
urgently in spice crops and
authenticated data need to be
generated for its safe use in crops.
A comprehensive guide on use of plant
protection chemicals based on the
restrictions and standards demanded by
demanded by various export
destinations and adhering to national
standards should be made available
to the farming community. The
responsibility can be taken by ICAR
institutes in collaboration with Spices
Board.
The issues and creative suggestions
concerning the functioning of APMC
markets can be developed by the
spice industry bodies like WSO and
submitted to Spices Board for their
considered intervention at the policy
level.
A mapping of technology gaps in
spices need to be undertaken . ICAR-
IISR and ICAR-NRCSS can identify
challenges in production and Spices
Board and the spice industry can
identify technology gaps in
processing , quality assessment ,
extraction and value addition . This
technology gaps may be prioritized
scientifically and technology start-
ups and entrepreneurs may be
encouraged to address these
persistent challenges in the spices
sector . A creative and competitive
environment for solving these
challenges need to be created .
12
EPILOGUE
The webinar emphasized the need for a
cohesive and inclusive approach in
policy design for the spices sector,
considering the diverse perspectives on
the short term and long term
challenges faced by the spices sector in
the country. Apart from the need for
urgent measures for strengthening
technology backstopping services to the
farming community, strong intervention
would be required in institutional
support for post-harvest processing and
marketing of spices. The webinar also
stressed the need for strengthening
food safety aspects along the entire
spice value chain and the need to link
food safety and adoption of traceability
systems. The need for strengthening
involvement of farmer collectives and
evelopment of rapid diagnostic and
quality measurement tools was also
highlighted. The discussions also
underscored the need for the various
institutional stakeholders to develop
close operational linkages to identify
and prioritize critical challenges, these
challenges and develop cohesive
responses to these challenges.
INDIAN SOCIETY FOR SPICESC/o Indian Institute of Spices Research
Marikunnu Post, Kozhikode - 673 012, Kerala