Frequently Asked Questions   What are the services available to farmers from the institute? What are the major planting materials available for sale? How to obtain planting materials of spices? Is training facility available for farmers? Are there training facility available for other clients like extension functionaries, Non Government Organistions? How to obtain IISR Publications? What are the services available to postgraduate students in biological sciences? Are consultancy services provided from the institute? Which are the major varieties of spices available from the institute? How to obtain information on spices marketing, trade and industry?     1) What are the services available to farmers from the institute?   Sale of planting material of major spices; Extension literature on nominal cost on various technologies in spices production; Farm advisory services free of cost; Diagnostic services like soil testing, manure testing, plant and water analysis on nominal rates; Field visits on request and Training free of cost are the major services available. For more details contact Manager, Agricultural Technology Information Centre, Indian Institute of Spices Research, Marikunnu Post, Calicut - 673 012 or by phone (0495-2730704) or by e-mail atic@spices.res.in. Visit www.spices.res.in/atic for further details.     2) What are the major planting materials available for sale?   Improved varieties of black pepper, ginger, turmeric, nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, vanilla, cardamom, allspice, garcinia, Piper chaba, Long pepper etc. are the major planting materials available.     3) How to obtain planting materials of spices?   Planting material can be supplied on the basis of applications placed in advance during the seasons to The Director, Indian Institute of Spices Research, Marikunnu PO, Calicut, 673 012 or Scientist in- charge, Experimental Farm, Peruvannamuzhi Post, Via Perambra, Calicut - 673 528. The materials will not be supplied through post or courier. No advance payment is required.   4) Is training facility available for farmers?   Free on campus/off campus training for the farmers of Calicut district is provided through Krishi Vigyan Kendra. For more details contact the Training Organiser, Peruvannamuzhi PO, Calicut or through phone (0496-2662372) or by e-mail: kvk@spices.res.in.     5) Are there training facility available for other clients like extension functionaries, Non Government Organistions?   On demand tailor made training courses are provided on scientific aspects of spices cultivation to the extension officials of all levels of the development departments, officials of NGOs etc. For more details contact Dr. Rajeev P., Senior Scientist, Indian Institute of Spices Research, Marikunnu Post, Calicut - 673 012 (e-mail: rajeev@spices.res.in).     6) How to obtain IISR Publications?   IISR publications can be obtained on request and payment from the Manager, Agricultural Technolgy Information Centre, Indian Institute of Spices Research, Marikunnu Post, Calicut - 673 012. The publications are also delivered through post against advance payment as a Demand Draft in favour of "ICAR Unit, IISR" payable at Calicut. Visit www.spices.res.in/services/publications.php for more details.   7) What are the services available to postgraduate students in biological sciences?   The institute is a recognized centre for postgraduate research leading to Ph.D. by several reputed universities. The institute also provides facilities for postgraduate project work in all the departments of the institute on proper authentication and payment basis. For more information, contact Dr.A. Ishwara Bhat, Secretary, HRD Committee, Indian Institute of Spices Research, Marikunnu Post, Calicut - 673 012 (e-mail: hrd@spices.res.in). Visit www.spices.res.in/education/index.php for more details.     8) Are consultancy services provided from the institute?   Paid consultancy on project mode is available for individuals and organistions. The areas of consultancy services include biotechnology, bioinformatics, spices production management, diagnostic services like soil, plant and water analysis and other fields in which institute has expertise. For more details contact Dr. K. S. Krishnamoorthy, Secretary, Consultancy Processing Cell, Indian Institute of Spices Research, Marikunnu Post, Calicut - 673 012 (e-mail: cpc@spices.res.in). Visit www.spices.res.in/services/consultservice.php for more details.     9) Which are the major varieties of spices available from the institute?   Balck pepper varieties like Sreekara, Subhakara, Panchami, Pournami, Thevam, Girimunda and Malabar Excel; Ginger varieties like Varada, Rejatha and Mahima; Turmeric varieties like Prabha, Prathibha, Alleppey Supreme and Kedaram; Nutmeg variety Viswasree are the important varieties. Visit www.spices.res.in/varieties/index.php for more details.   10) How to obtain information on spices marketing, trade and industry?   IISR is primarily a research institute. For obtaining information and services on marketing, trade and setting up of spices industry it would be appropriate to contact the Spices Board, Ministry of Commerce, Sugnadha Bahavn, Palarivattom Post, Kochi, Kerala (www.indianspices.com).