The National Turmeric Board was inaugurated on 14 January 2025 by Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal. The event marked step towards enhancing the turmeric sector in India. The Board’s headquarters is located in Nizamabad, a prominent region for turmeric cultivation. The establishment coincided with national celebrations, denoting its importance.
Objectives of the National Turmeric Board
The Board aims to focus on the welfare of turmeric farmers across 20 states. It will work towards developing superior turmeric varieties and enhancing production techniques. The Board will also promote research and innovation in turmeric products. This initiative aims to boost the income of farmers and improve the overall productivity of turmeric in key states like Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
Composition and Structure
Shri Palle Ganga Reddy has been appointed as the first Chairperson of the Board. The Board includes representatives from various ministries, exporters, and farmers’ bodies. This diverse representation ensures comprehensive oversight and support for the turmeric sector. The structure is designed to facilitate collaboration between different stakeholders.
Focus on Quality and Safety Standards
A critical role of the National Turmeric Board is to ensure quality and safety in turmeric production and exports. The Board will establish standards that align with international requirements. This focus will help enhance the reputation of Indian turmeric in global markets.
Market Potential and Export Opportunities
India accounts for over 70% of global turmeric production. In the 2023-24 period, India cultivated turmeric on 3.05 lakh hectares, producing 10.74 lakh tonnes. The country exported 1.62 lakh tonnes of turmeric products valued at approximately 226.5 million USD. The Board aims to tap into this vast market potential, especially in health and wellness sectors.
Research and Development Initiatives
The Board will prioritise research on turmeric’s essential and medicinal properties. It will explore ways to enhance yield and develop value-added products for export. By encouraging innovation, the Board seeks to keep pace with global trends and consumer demands.
Logistics and Supply Chain Enhancement
Improving logistics and supply chains is another key focus area. The Board will facilitate better trade practices, ensuring that turmeric reaches new markets efficiently. This enhancement will support farmers and exporters alike.
Regional Representation and Collaboration
The Board will include representatives from major turmeric-producing states like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Meghalaya, which is known for its Lakadong turmeric. This regional representation will rotate, ensuring all states have a voice in the Board’s decisions.
Conclusion on the Board’s Impact
The National Turmeric Board is poised to bring transformative changes to the turmeric sector in India. By addressing the needs of farmers and enhancing production standards, it aims to solidify India’s position as a global leader in turmeric.
Questions for UPSC:
- Critically discuss the role of turmeric in India’s agricultural economy and its implications for farmers.
- Examine the impact of quality standards on the export potential of agricultural products in India.
- Analyse the significance of research and development in enhancing agricultural productivity.
- Estimate the potential benefits of improved logistics on the trade of agricultural commodities in India.
Answer Hints:
1. Critically discuss the role of turmeric in India’s agricultural economy and its implications for farmers.
- Turmeric is cash crop in India, contributing to the livelihoods of millions of farmers.
- India produces over 70% of the world’s turmeric, making it a key player in the global market.
- The establishment of the National Turmeric Board aims to enhance farmers’ welfare and boost income.
- Turmeric cultivation supports rural economies and provides employment opportunities.
- Health benefits associated with turmeric increase its demand, positively impacting farmers’ earnings.
2. Examine the impact of quality standards on the export potential of agricultural products in India.
- Quality standards ensure that agricultural products meet international market requirements, enhancing competitiveness.
- Adhering to quality standards can reduce rejection rates of exports, increasing overall export volumes.
- Establishing safety standards improves consumer trust in Indian agricultural products globally.
- Compliance with quality standards can open up new markets, expanding trade opportunities for farmers.
- The National Turmeric Board aims to implement such standards specifically for turmeric, boosting its export potential.
3. Analyse the significance of research and development in enhancing agricultural productivity.
- Research and development lead to the creation of superior crop varieties that yield higher outputs.
- Innovations in farming techniques can improve efficiency and reduce resource wastage.
- R&D can enhance the understanding of pest management and disease control, further increasing productivity.
- Value-added products developed through R&D can diversify income sources for farmers.
- The National Turmeric Board will prioritize R&D to keep pace with global agricultural trends.
4. Estimate the potential benefits of improved logistics on the trade of agricultural commodities in India.
- Improved logistics can reduce transportation costs, making trade more profitable for farmers.
- Efficient supply chains ensure timely delivery of products, enhancing marketability.
- Better logistics can minimize post-harvest losses, increasing the quantity of produce available for sale.
- Streamlined logistics can enable access to new markets, expanding the reach of agricultural products.
- The National Turmeric Board aims to enhance logistics specifically for turmeric, benefiting producers and exporters.
