One of the five key pillars of inclusive development established by the Narendra Modi-led central government this year was setting up the National Turmeric Board in October, just ahead of the assembly elections in Telangana. Prime Minister Narendra Modi made the announcement during an election rally and, in the process, fulfilled a long-standing demand of those farming the yellow rhizome crop across the country.
“From Telangana, I am glad to announce the formation of a National Turmeric Board. This will benefit crores of hardworking farmers,” the prime minister had said at an election rally.
The southern state, where the Congress defeated the regional Bharat Rashtra Samithi, is the second largest producer of turmeric in India after Maharashtra. The turmeric board will focus on the development and growth of the much-loved kitchen staple, also known for its therapeutic properties within the ambit of traditional medicine. The board also aims at helping the spice market in India to grow as it controls more than 62 percent share of the turmeric world trade.
The crop is sold in markets in three main forms – raw, dried rhizomes, and as a powdered spice. India is the largest producer, consumer and exporter of turmeric and its products.
What are the objectives of the board?
As part of the formation of board, the Centre has decided to increase turmeric exports to Rs 8,400 crore per annum by 2030 from the existing Rs 1,600 crore. In a press release issued two months ago, the commerce ministry had said the board will have a chairperson, who will be appointed by the Centre. Select national/state institutions will be involved in research about the crop.
The board will have members from the department of pharmaceuticals, ministries of AYUSH, agriculture and farmers welfare, commerce and industry as well as senior state government representatives from three states on a rotational basis. Representatives of turmeric farmers and exporters will also be members of the board while a secretary will be appointed by the commerce ministry.
“In the year 2022-23, an area of 3.24 lakh hectares was under turmeric cultivation in India with a production of 11.61 lakh tonnes [over 75% of global turmeric production],” the ministry said, adding, “the largest producing states of turmeric are Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.”
During 2022-23, 1.53 lakh tonnes of turmeric and its products valued at US$207.45 million was exported by more than 380 exporters. The leading export markets for Indian turmeric are Bangladesh, UAE, US and Malaysia.
Here are some of the objectives:
There is significant potential and interest world over on the health and wellness benefits of turmeric, which the board will leverage to further increase awareness and consumption of turmeric as well as develop new markets internationally to increase exports.
The board is expected to promote research and development into new products and develop on our traditional knowledge for value-added turmeric products.
It 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 will especially focus on capacity building and skill development of turmeric growers for harnessing greater benefits out of value addition.
It will also promote quality and food safety standards and adherence to such standards, and take steps to further safeguard and usefully exploit turmeric’s full potential for humanity.
Turmeric for political health
The crop has been a political issue for long in Telangana. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, it became the reason behind the defeat of BRS leader K Kavitha. She lost the Nizamabad seat to BJP’s Dharmapuri Arvind, who had bagged the support of turmeric farmers after promising to set up a turmeric board.
Hence, the formation of the National Turmeric Board assumes significance ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections as well. Prime Minister Modi’s announcement was hailed as a shot in the arm for the BJP in Telangana. While the saffron party did not win the state over during the assembly elections, it managed to register a victory in Nizamabad.
Dharmapuri, the BJP MP from Nizamabad, had written in a communication to the Centre that turmeric should be included in the list of agricultural crops. According to him, turmeric, which is also known as “yellow gold” in the state, decides the fate of at least five assembly constituencies. A majority of the voters in Balkonda are turmeric farmers, while assembly segments like Armoor, Koratala and Jagtial have 25 to 35 percent turmeric growers. Nizamabad (rural) has 10 percent of such a population.
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