Large Cardamom Irrigation Land Development: Rainwater Harvesting Structure is a scheme of the Spices Board that helps large cardamom growers bring more land under irrigation. It gives financial support for building water storage, rainwater harvesting and irrigation structures so that growers can raise crop productivity and quality.
Spices Board, which works under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has opened applications under the SPICED scheme for 2026-27. These applications cover large cardamom growers in Sikkim, the Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts of West Bengal, and other North Eastern States.
Large Cardamom Irrigation Land Development: Rainwater Harvesting Structure
This component is part of the integrated spices programme of the Spices Board for the 15th Finance Commission period. It is now being run under the SPICED scheme, which checks area expansion, improvement in productivity and better quality of small and large cardamom together.
SPICED scheme has been extended up to 30 September 2026 or until the approval of the proposed scheme for the 16th Finance Commission cycle, whichever comes earlier. Growers who want to build a water storage or rainwater harvesting structure on their land can apply under this component for the current year.
Key Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Large Cardamom Irrigation Land Development: Rainwater Harvesting Structure |
| Level | Central |
| Implementing Agency | Spices Board, Ministry of Commerce and Industry |
| Beneficiary Type | Individual |
| States | Sikkim, West Bengal (Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts) and North Eastern States |
| Benefit Type | Financial assistance |
| Application Mode | Online through ServicesPlus portal |
Benefits
Spices Board gives financial assistance for building a rainwater harvesting structure of 200 cubic meter capacity that is lined with a silpauline sheet. The share of the cost that comes as support depends on the category of the grower. Smaller structures get support in proportion to their water holding capacity.
- General Category gets 33.33% of the construction cost, up to a maximum of ₹18,000 per structure.
- SC/ST Category gets 75% of the construction cost, up to a maximum of ₹40,000 per structure.
- For structures with a capacity lower than 200 cubic meters, the support is given on a proportionate basis.
Eligibility
The scheme is open to individual large cardamom growers in the large cardamom growing regions. Growers should check the conditions below before they apply for the assistance.
- The applicant must be a large cardamom grower in Sikkim, the Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts of West Bengal, or other North Eastern States.
- The grower must have a land holding of between 0.10 hectares and 8 hectares. A grower who has already taken this benefit earlier is not eligible to apply again.
- The structure must not block the natural flow of water or streams, and it must not cause any objection that comes from the local community or the authorities.
- The grower must allow the officials of the Spices Board to inspect the site before the support is sanctioned.
Application Process
Growers can apply online through the ServicesPlus portal of the Spices Board. The steps for applying are given below.
STEP 1 - Go to the official ServicesPlus portal at ServicesPlus website and click on the register option. Provide your personal details such as name, email and mobile number.
STEP 2 - Verify your registration using the OTP sent to your registered mobile number or email.
STEP 3 - Log in to the portal using your credentials and select the Large Cardamom Irrigation Land Development component from the list of schemes.
STEP 4 - Fill in the project details, upload the required documents and submit the application form. Growers can also submit their application in the field offices of the Spices Board across the major growing regions.
Documents
Applicants must keep the following documents ready at the time of applying. The field office may ask for any extra document to verify the ownership of the land.
- Document of ownership or legal possession of land, such as Parcha or a possession certificate.
- Aadhaar card.
- Bank passbook.
- No Objection Certificate from the local panchayat if the land is not registered in the name of the beneficiary.
References
For further details, growers can check the official guidelines and the notice inviting applications under the SPICED scheme for 2026-27 on the Spices Board guidelines page.
The notice inviting applications under the SPICED scheme for 2026-27 can be downloaded from the official SPICED 2026-27 notice PDF.
Applicants can submit their application through the online application portal of the Spices Board.
FAQ's
Is the large cardamom irrigation scheme still open in 2026?
Yes. The scheme is being run under the SPICED scheme for 2026-27. Applications have been invited for this financial year and the scheme has been extended up to 30 September 2026 or until the new scheme for the 16th Finance Commission cycle is approved.
What is the primary objective of this scheme?
The scheme helps large cardamom growers bring more area under irrigation by building water storage, rainwater harvesting and irrigation structures, which raises crop productivity and quality.
Who is eligible to receive the benefit?
Large cardamom growers in Sikkim, North Eastern States, and the Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts of West Bengal, with a land holding between 0.10 hectares and 8 hectares, are eligible to apply.
How is the financial assistance calculated?
Support is based on a standard structure of 200 cubic meter capacity lined with a silpauline sheet. Smaller structures receive support in proportion to their water holding capacity.
What rules apply to water flow?
The structure must not block the natural flow of water or streams, and it must not cause any objection from the local community or the concerned authorities.