THE decision by the Spices Board to allow farmers to decide whether to sell cardamom directly to licenced dealers or through auction has met with a mixed reaction, The Economic Times of India has reported. The newspaper noted that traders felt that the farmers had the choice earlier too but were using the auction route as it guaranteed payment. However, Spices Board officials said that selling through auctions was compulsory until now and the farmers can now sell independently if they get more money. Most of the spice harvested in the country is sold through auctions in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. After a month's auction disruption from September 25 on the issue of raising the bidding rates, the auctions resumed in October last week with a revised bidding rate of Rs2... Read More