Pongal focus on turmeric crop in Ramnad, ryots get pittance

RAMESWARAM: With just a few days to go for the annual harvest festival of Pongal, the spotlight has turned on the traditional ‘turmeric’ (Manja Kothu in Tamil) crop which is a specialty in parts of Ramanathapuram district. 

As the ‘turmeric shoots’ form an auspicious part of the Pongal and ‘Maatu Pongal’ festivities across South India and not just Tamil Nadu, two specific areas in Ramanathapuram district -Manjalpattinam and Nainaarkovil near Paramakudi- known for this crop are now agog with activity with farmers harvesting the crop and dispatching them to consuming markets in nearby towns and cities.