Kakinada: Indian Institute of Spice Research (IISR), Calicut, director Dr. R. Dinesh said turmeric has immense scope for commercial exploitation in the diverse lands of India.
He was addressing the concluding session of the international conference organised by Central Tobacco Research Institute (CTRI) and Indian Society of Tobacco Science at Adikavi Nannayya University in Rajanagaram on Saturday.
Dinesh underlined that there is an emerging opportunity in developing nano-formulations of turmeric plant’s chemical constituents for use in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries. Growers can thus reap additional benefits from this commercial crop.
However, the issues of pest and disease management, associated health issues and indiscriminate use of chemicals should be addressed.
CTRI director M. Seshu Madhav said Central Tobacco Research Institute is the only one of its kind in the world with exclusive mandate of conducting research on tobacco. In India, tobacco is grown over 0.433 million hectares with a yield of 758 million kilos. It brings in excise revenue of Rs 23,357 crores and export earnings of Rs 9,740 crore.
The CTRI director said plant genetics and biotechnological interventions for bringing improvements in commercial crops will be helpful in enhancing the yield and quality of the produce, in particular chilli and turmeric.
Seshu Madhav pointed out that India has a recognised position in these two products in the global market.
NABARD former chairman G.R. Chintala and Indian Institute of Oil Seeds Research director R.K. Mathur were among those present.
