The Directorate of Arecanut and Spices Development (DASD) was established on April 1, 1966, at Calicut, Kerala, as a subordinate office under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India. It is responsible for the development of spices, arecanut, aromatic plants, and betel vine at the national level. The Directorate coordinates and monitors various developmental programs across the country, particularly under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH).