Spices are integral part of Indian cuisines and also India is the largest producer, exporter and consumer of spices and its value added forms. Bestowed agroclimatic conditions of the country ranging from tropical, subtropical and temperate climate make it possible to grow different kind of spices. Out of the 109 spices acknowledged by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in all over world, about 63 spices are cultivated in India. The Spices Board of India encourages the cultivation and trade of about 52 spices in India.

Spices are low volume and high value crops. These crops play a significant role in earning the country’s foreign exchange. In view of the economic significance of these crops, research and development efforts were focused after the independence in the country by various institutes like Central Scientific and Industrial Research, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, State Agricultural Universities and their constituent research agencies. Developmental agencies like Spices Board of India, Turmeric Board of India and Directorate of Areacnut and Spices Development are involved in the promotion of spices cultivation, quality regulations and export of spices from India which resulted in significant research advancements have been achieved in major spices.

Pradeepkumar.T took PhD in Horticulture from IARI, New Delhi and undergone overseas training at University of Wisconsin, USA. He is  holding the charge of Vice Chancellor, Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies, Kochin, Kerala and working as Professor and Head, Department of Vegetable Science, Kerala Agricultural University.Dr Pradeepkumar.T has experience of more than 30 years in horticultural research, teaching and extension as state and national level expert. He has developed 8 hybrids of different crops like water melon (Seedless types), salad cucumber (Parthenocarpic type), bitter gourd and ridge gourd. He was the editor of Journal of Tropical Agriculture for six years and reviewer of springer and elseiver publications. He is the recipient of Krishi vijnan award for the best agricultural scientist instituted by Govt. of Kerala and Harbhajan Singh Award by ISVS. He has published 92 research papers, 12 books, 18 book chapters and 45 popular article . He received ISVS fellowship from, Indian Society of Vegetable Science in year 2016, IAHS fellowship from Indian Academy of Horticultural Science in the year 2019 and ISS fellowship from Indian Society for Spices in the year 2021.