Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, revealed plans to enhance the turmeric ecosystem in Tamil Nadu by establishing a regional office of the National Turmeric Board (NTB) in Erode. This move aims to bolster the turmeric industry in one of India’s major production centers. The NTB, operating under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry from its headquarters in Nizamabad, Telangana, will also see the setup of an accredited turmeric testing laboratory in Erode, known as Turmeric City.
Chouhan pledged to present the proposal for the NTB’s regional office at Manjal Maanagaram, emphasizing the importance of this initiative. Additionally, he announced that the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) will establish a certified turmeric testing facility in Erode. This laboratory is anticipated to facilitate quality testing, research, and certification processes, benefiting farmers, traders, and exporters in the region.
In response to calls for the development of turmeric varieties with higher curcumin content, Chouhan assured that ICAR would actively engage in research and breeding programs to meet market demands and medicinal needs. The Minister also addressed marketing challenges by outlining government plans to promote turmeric sales nationwide through e-commerce platforms, aiming to expand market reach and improve price realization for farmers.
Furthermore, Chouhan emphasized the need to address operational hurdles faced by turmeric growers, highlighting the forthcoming development of machinery for harvesting, drying, and processing turmeric. This initiative aims to reduce labor dependency and minimize post-harvest losses in the industry. The Minister also hinted at an upcoming scheme focused on value addition in turmeric, enabling farmers to diversify beyond raw produce and increase their earnings.
