With the approaching harvest season of the golden spice, turmeric, Spices Board conducted a virtual Buyer Seller Meet(BSM) to strengthen market linkages and promoting exports. A total of 122 participants were part of this interactive event. The BSM aimed at giving accessibility to farmers and farmer producer groups for better price realization for their produce.

The immunity boosting properties of turmeric have played a key role in boosting the demand of the spice during the COVID 19 pandemic situation, which in turn contributed to a significant growth of 42 per cent in quantity (99,000 MT) and 35 per cent in value

(Rs. 85,810 lakhs)of turmeric exports during the first half of the current financial year (April-September 2020).

Inaugurating the BSM, Shri Arvind Dharmapuri, Hon’ble MP Nizamabad, observed that the region is known for cultivation of turmeric and there is scope for enhancing exports from the region by focusing on processing and value addition in the crop as the spice is known for its health properties. He also suggested that guidance may be given to farmers for improving the quality of turmeric.

Turmeric is mainly grown in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala,Maharashtra, Odisha, West Bengal and the North Eastern states. Telangana is the largest producer of the spice in the country in which four districts viz. Nizamabad, Karimnagar, Warangal and Adilabad account for around 90 per cent of the production of turmeric in the State.

Apart from giving extension support, conducting activities for post harvest improvement and export promotion, and bringing together stakeholders on synergistic platforms, Spices Board has constituted a Turmeric Task Force Committee (TTFC) to augment collaborative efforts by various stakeholders for effectively tapping the full commercial prospects of Turmeric. The Committee has conducted three meetings so far and has addressed issues on purity of seed material, post harvest practices and so on for assuring clean and quality spices from the region.

 

YB/SS

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