The Turmeric Board will contribute to the well-being of growers if it ensures better prices for their produce
India is the largest producer, consumer and exporter of turmeric in the world. "After Covid, awareness about turmeric has increased and global demand has also increased. Today it is important to pay more attention professionally and take an initiative in the value chain of turmeric, from production to export... Looking at the necessity of turmeric farmers and future opportunities, the centre has decided to establish a National Turmeric Board,
The Board plans to amplify awareness and consumption, explore new international markets to boost exports, and champion research and development of new turmeric-based products. In the year 2022-23, turmeric was cultivated in an area of 3.24 lakh hectares in India with a production of 11.61 lakh tonnes (more than 75% of global turmeric production). More than 30 varieties of turmeric are grown in India and it is grown in more than 20 states of the country. The largest producing states of turmeric are Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
Telangana is the major producing state of Turmeric in India with 16.6 per cent of the total area with 28.4 per cent production and 6500 kg/ha productivity during 2020-21. Andhra Pradesh was left with an area of 30 thousand hectares with 73 thousand tonnes of production during 2020-21.
Union Tourism and Culture Minister Kishan Reddy announced the decision after a meeting of the Cabinet. Mr Reddy said the Centre fulfilled a long-pending demand of farmers from Telangana and other turmeric-growing States. He added that farmers in Telangana had been walking barefoot for the last 15 years protesting the delay in the establishment of the board.
Centre has decided to increase turmeric exports to ?8,400 crore per annum by 2030 from the existing ?1,600 crore. In the year 2022-23, an area of 3.24 lakh hectares was under turmeric cultivation in India with a production of 11.61 lakh tonnes. India's share in the world trade of turmeric is more than 62%. 1.534 lakh tonnes of turmeric and turmeric products worth USD 207.45 million were exported by more than 380 exporters during 2022-23.
The major export markets for Indian turmeric are Bangladesh, UAE, USA and Malaysia. The Government of India has notified the constitution of the National Turmeric Board. The National Turmeric Board will focus on the development and growth of turmeric and turmeric products in the country.
The National Turmeric Board will provide leadership on turmeric-related matters, enhance agricultural efforts and facilitate greater coordination with the Spices Board and other government agencies in the development and growth of the turmeric sector. The Board will also promote quality and food safety standards and adherence to such standards. The Board will also take steps to protect and fruitfully exploit the full potential of turmeric for humanity. Turmeric will contribute to the better well-being and prosperity of growers, thereby providing better prices to growers for their produce.
The Board's activities in turmeric research, market development, increasing consumption and value addition will also ensure that our producers and processors continue to maintain their leading position in the global markets as exporters of high-quality turmeric and turmeric products.
The Turmeric Board will consist of a Chairman appointed by the Central Government, members from the Ministry. Whereas a secretary will be appointed by the Commerce Department. Thus "The National Turmeric Board will provide leadership on turmeric-related matters. It is anticipated that the export value of turmeric will surge to reach a remarkable $1 billion by the year 2030.
(The writer is a senior journalist; views expressed are personal)
