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The Central Government of India has notified that the National Turmeric Board will be constituted based on the long-standing demands of Indian turmeric farmers. The Union Commerce Ministry said that the National Turmeric Board will focus on the development and growth of turmeric and turmeric products across the country, with a special focus on turmeric farmers and exports. The headquarters for the National Turmeric Board has not been finalised yet.
The Union Tourism and Culture Minister, Kishan Reddy revealed that turmeric farmers in states like Telangana have been asking for a board that oversees turmeric production for nearly 15 years now. Union Information Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur, who was also present at the announcement, revealed that the Centre has decided to increase turmeric exports to Rs 8,400 crores per annum by 2030. Currently, India exports turmeric worth Rs 1,600 crores.
Video Credit: YouTube/Stephi Nguyen
The Centre has said that the National Turmeric Board will have a Centre-appointed Chairperson along with members from the Ministry of AYUSH, Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, and senior State Government representatives from three turmeric-producing states on a rotational basis. A select few national and state-level institutions that assist turmeric farmers with agricultural research and exports will also be part of the National Turmeric Board. A Secretary to the Board will also be appointed by the Commerce Ministry.
For those unaware, India is the largest producer, consumer and exporter of turmeric in the world. “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],” a press release by the Ministry said, adding that India has 62% share of world trade in turmeric. “The largest producing states of Turmeric are Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu,” the release said.
Want to know more about the turmeric varieties grown across India? Here are all the types of turmeric you should know about.
1. Sangli: Grown in Maharashtra, this turmeric variety accounts for more than 70% of the state’s turmeric production. Sangli turmeric also received a GI Tag in 2018.
2. Nizamabad: Grown in Telangana, this turmeric variety is known for its bright, yellow colour and contains 2-4% curcumin, making it a popular choice in culinary and medicinal fields.
3. Erode: Grown in Tamil Nadu, this turmeric variety received its GI Tag in 2019. This turmeric type has 3-4% curcumin.
4. Madras: Another turmeric variety grown in Tamil Nadu, this one has a lighter shade of yellow and contains around 3.5% curcumin.
5. Alleppey: Named after a small town in Kerala, this turmeric variety contains 5% curcumin and is used extensively in Ayurvedic medicine.
6. Lakadong: Grown in Meghalaya, this one is believed to be the best turmeric variety in the world thanks to its bright colour and high curcumin content (7-8%).
