National Turmeric Board to boost prospects of growers

Nizamabad: The newly announced National Turmeric Board (NTB) would boost the prospects of turmeric cultivation in north Telangana districts. From sowing to exports, farmers and traders will get assistance from the board.

The Nizamabad agriculture market yard is among the biggest markets for turmeric sales. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the setting up of the board a few days ago.

The central government on Wednesday notified the constitution of the board. It would focus on the development and growth of turmeric and turmeric products in the country and provide leadership on turmeric-related matters, augment such efforts, and facilitate greater coordination with the Spices Board and other government agencies in the development and growth of the turmeric sector, it was stated.

There is significant interest the world over as regards the health and wellness benefits of turmeric. The turmeric board will leverage to further increase this awareness and consumption, develop new markets internationally to increase exports, promote research and development of new products, and further develop our traditional knowledge for value-added turmeric products.

The board will also promote quality and food safety standards and adherence to such standards. It would also take steps to further safeguard and usefully exploit turmeric’s full potential for humanity.

The board shall have a chairperson to be appointed by the central government, members from the ministry of AYUSH, departments of pharmaceuticals, agriculture & farmers welfare, commerce & industry of the Union Government, senior state government representatives from three states (on rotation basis), select national/state institutions involved in research, representatives of turmeric farmers and exporters, and have a secretary who would be appointed by the Department of Commerce.

India is the largest producer, consumer and exporter of turmeric in the world. In the year 2022-23, an area of 3.24 lakh ha was under turmeric cultivation in India with a production of 11.61 lakh tonnes, forming over 75 per cent of global turmeric production.

More than 30 varieties of turmeric are grown in India. It is grown in over 20 states. The largest-producing states are Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

India has more than 62 per cent share of world trade in turmeric.

During 2022-23, 1.534 lakh tonnes of turmeric and turmeric products valued at 4207.45 million were exported by more than 380 firms. The leading export markets for Indian turmeric are Bangladesh, UAE, USA and Malaysia.

With the focused activities of the board, it is expected that turmeric exports will reach Rs.1 billion by 2030.