National Turmeric Board Inaugurated in Telangana

Source: PIB

Context: The Union Home Minister inaugurated the headquarters of the National Turmeric Board in Nizamabad, Telangana, fulfilling a 40-year-old demand of turmeric farmers.

About National Turmeric Board Inaugurated in Telangana:

• What is it? A specialized statutory body set up by the Government of India to promote, regulate, and support the turmeric sector, from production to export.

• A specialized statutory body set up by the Government of India to promote, regulate, and support the turmeric sector, from production to export.

• Headquarters: Nizamabad, Telangana – a key turmeric-producing region known as the “Turmeric Capital of India.”

• Ministry Involved: Operates under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry with coordination from Ministry of AYUSH, Agriculture, Pharmaceuticals, and Cooperation.

• Governing Body (Composition):

• Chairperson appointed by the Central Government Secretary from the Department of Commerce Members from: Ministries of AYUSH, Agriculture, Commerce, Pharmaceuticals Representatives from top turmeric-producing states (Telangana, Maharashtra, Meghalaya) Turmeric farmer representatives, exporters, and research institutions

• Chairperson appointed by the Central Government

• Secretary from the Department of Commerce

• Members from: Ministries of AYUSH, Agriculture, Commerce, Pharmaceuticals Representatives from top turmeric-producing states (Telangana, Maharashtra, Meghalaya) Turmeric farmer representatives, exporters, and research institutions

• Ministries of AYUSH, Agriculture, Commerce, Pharmaceuticals

• Representatives from top turmeric-producing states (Telangana, Maharashtra, Meghalaya)

• Turmeric farmer representatives, exporters, and research institutions

• Objectives:

• Facilitate value addition, branding, and marketing of turmeric products Eliminate middlemen and enhance farmer income Promote global awareness of turmeric’s medicinal properties Enhance logistics and quality standards to match international benchmarks Provide training, skill development, and research for turmeric cultivation and usage

• Facilitate value addition, branding, and marketing of turmeric products

• Eliminate middlemen and enhance farmer income

• Promote global awareness of turmeric’s medicinal properties

• Enhance logistics and quality standards to match international benchmarks

• Provide training, skill development, and research for turmeric cultivation and usage

• Key Functions:

• Develop end-to-end export infrastructure for turmeric. Promote GI-tagged organic turmeric. Ensure compliance with international food and safety standards. Coordinate with Spices Board and cooperatives like National Cooperative Exports Limited and National Cooperative Exports Limited for turmeric exports.

• Develop end-to-end export infrastructure for turmeric.

• Promote GI-tagged organic turmeric.

• Ensure compliance with international food and safety standards.

• Coordinate with Spices Board and cooperatives like National Cooperative Exports Limited and National Cooperative Exports Limited for turmeric exports.

About Status of Turmeric in India:

• What is Turmeric? Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a rhizomatous herbaceous plant known for its culinary, dyeing, and medicinal uses. It is called the “Golden Spice” and is central to Indian agriculture and

• Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a rhizomatous herbaceous plant known for its culinary, dyeing, and medicinal uses. It is called the “Golden Spice” and is central to Indian agriculture and

• Regions Where It is Grown: Grown across 20+ Indian states. Major producers: Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Meghalaya

• Grown across 20+ Indian states.

• Major producers: Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Meghalaya

• Climatic Conditions Required:

• Tropical crop requiring 20–30°C temperature and high annual rainfall Grows in well-drained loamy soil Cultivation occurs in both rain-fed and irrigated areas

• Tropical crop requiring 20–30°C temperature and high annual rainfall

• Grows in well-drained loamy soil

• Cultivation occurs in both rain-fed and irrigated areas

• Production Overview:

• India produces over 75% of global turmeric, with 30+ indigenous varieties Area under cultivation (2022–23): 3.24 lakh hectares Production (2022–23): 11.61 lakh tonnes Export (2022–23): 1.53 lakh tonnes valued at USD 207.45 million Export Targets: USD 1 billion by 2030 Major export destinations: Bangladesh, UAE, USA, Malaysia