Spice and herb plants do not require large land areas for profitable cultivation and can also be gathered from the wild. In the case of cultivation, growing can be achieved without excessive investments as many spice and herb plants can be produced with minimal inputs of cash, labor and land. They are often an ideal crop to be integrated into small-scale farming systems and are suitable for smaller garden production.

This publication aims to create awareness about the potential opportunities and advantages for spices and herbs as a viable diversification enterprise to enhance the livelihoods of small-scale farmers. The focus is on spice and herb enterprises being integrated into small-scale farming systems, alongside traditional crops and livestock, and/or harvested from wild plants. Opportunities for value addition are also highlighted.