Centre Sets Up Turmeric Board, Aims To Increase Export To USD 1 Billion By 2030

The Centre has notified the establishment of the National Turmeric Board, which will focus on the development and growth of turmeric products in the country.

As per the Commerce and Industries Ministry, the Board will provide leadership on issues associated with turmeric, augment the efforts, and facilitate greater coordination with Spices Board and other Government agencies in development and growth of the turmeric sector.

The Chairperson of the Board will be appointed by the Centre, 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. Department of Commerce will appoint the Secretary to the Board.

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 per cent of global turmeric production). More than 30 varieties of turmeric are grown in over 20 states in the country. The largest producing states of Turmeric are Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu, the Ministry informed.

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 USD 207.45 million were exported by more than 380 exporters. 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 USD 1 billion by 2030.

The notification was issued days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the setting up of a National Turmeric Board, which was the long-pending demand of turmeric farmers across the country.

“India is a major producer, consumer and exporter of Turmeric. After Covid 19 pandemic, awareness about the benefits of turmeric has increased and its demand has also increased across the world. It is imperative that the entire value chain of turmeric, from production to export and research, is given more professional attention and initiative needs to be taken in this regard,” the Prime Minister had said.

“Considering the needs and future prospects of turmeric farmers, the Central Government has decided to constitute 'National Turmeric Board' for their benefit. The board will help farmers in different areas ranging from value addition in the supply chain to infrastructure-related works, he added.

The demand for a Turmeric Board has a long history, with farmers in Nizamabad and neighboring districts seeking better prices for their turmeric crops. A Turmeric Board would mean the establishment of a minimum support price (MSP) by the central government and support for research to enhance crop productivity and promote exports.

Currently, without a proper support price, traders and middlemen dominate the turmeric trade, leaving farmers with inadequate returns. India, despite being the world's largest producer and consumer of turmeric, faces this issue, despite the spice's high demand for culinary and cosmetic purposes in various countries.

The lack of favorable pricing has discouraged turmeric farming in Telangana, with the acreage decreasing significantly from a peak of about 1.4 lakh acres in 2019-20 to just 86,000 acres in 2021-22. In 2016, turmeric prices reached a record high of INR 16,000 per quintal in Telangana but later declined, hovering around INR 10,000. Currently, prices fluctuate between INR 12,000 to INR 15,000 per quintal in different markets.

In addition to the Turmeric Board, many other boards exist for products like tea, coffee, spices, jute, coconut, tobacco, etc. These boards play a crucial role in assisting farmers not only with marketing their produce but also in addressing their various requirements.

Possible Benefits Of Turmeric Board:

Price Support: A minimum support price can be fixed for turmeric, ensuring that farmers receive fair compensation for their crops, reducing their vulnerability to market fluctuations.

Research and Development: The board can facilitate research to enhance turmeric crop productivity, quality, and disease resistance, ultimately benefiting farmers by improving yields.

Export Promotion: The board can promote the export of turmeric, opening up international markets and increasing income opportunities for farmers.

Infrastructure Development: Investment in infrastructure like bigger storage facilities and transportation can reduce post-harvest losses and improve the overall supply chain.

Farmer Welfare: The board can provide various support services and resources to improve the livelihoods of turmeric farmers, including training, subsidies, and access to credit.

Standardization: Providing quality seeds and ensuring quality standards for turmeric can lead to better market acceptance and higher prices for Indian turmeric in both domestic and international markets.

Market Access: By connecting farmers directly to markets, the board can help eliminate middlemen and increase transparency in the turmeric trade.

Sustainability: Promoting sustainable farming practices can benefit both farmers and the environment in the long run.

The National Turmeric Board can significantly improve the livelihoods of turmeric farmers by addressing various aspects of their cultivation, marketing, and overall well-being.