Turmeric crop in Telangana
- Turmeric is grown extensively in old Nizamabad and Karimnagar districts which account for a third of the crop in Telangana.
- Turmeric is raised on about 2.5 lakh acres in Nizamabad, Karimnagar, Adilabad and partly in Warangal and Ranga Reddy district.
- The Nizamabad Agriculture Market Yard is the biggest turmeric market in Telangana.
- Nizamabad farmers have been demanding for a Turmeric Board and the MSP
National Turmeric Board
- The Government of India notified the constitution of the National Turmeric Board on OCT 2023.
- 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, augment the efforts, and facilitate greater coordination with Spices Board and other Government agencies in development and growth of the turmeric sector.
- 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 to be appointed by the Department of Commerce.
Turmeric crop
- Turmeric is the dried rhizome of Curcuma longa L (Family: Zingiberaceae) ., a herbaceous perennial belonging to the family Zingiberaceae and a native of South Asia particularly India.
- The plant is propagated from rhizomes.
- It is referred to as Indian saffron and commonly called as Haldi.
Uses
It is used as condiment, dye, drug and cosmetic in addition to its use in religious ceremonies.
Cultivation
- India is the largest producer, consumer and exporter of turmeric in the world. Other major producers are Thailand, other Southeast Asian countries, Central and Latin America and Taiwan.
- India has more than 62% share of world trade in turmeric.
- 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 (over 75% of global turmeric production).
- As of 2022 the major states producing turmeric in India are Telangana (3.13 lakh tonnes), Maharashtra (2.26 lakh tonnes), Karnataka (1.30 lakh tonnes), Tamil Nadu (0.86 lakh tonnes), Andhra Pradesh (0.73 lakh tonnes), Madhya Pradesh (0.60 lakh tonnes) and West Bengal (0.45 lakh tonnes).
Climate and soil
- Turmeric can be grown in diverse tropical conditions from sea level to 1500 m above sea level, at a temperature range of 20-35o C with an annual rainfall of 1500 mm or more, under rainfed or irrigated conditions.
Though it can be grown on different types of soils, it thrives best in well-drained sandy or clay loam soils with a pH range of 4.5-7.5 with good organic status.