Congress Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) K Shivakumar has made a strong case for establishing a regional centre of the National Turmeric Board in Chamarajanagar district. He highlighted the exceptional quality of turmeric grown in the region and the urgent need for institutional support to protect local farmers from market volatility and exploitation.
Chamarajanagar's Superior Turmeric Deserves Recognition
Speaking at the inauguration of a buyer-seller meet for turmeric products on Thursday, Shivakumar asserted that the turmeric cultivated in Chamarajanagar is of far superior quality compared to other parts of the country. He drew parallels to the high-grade turmeric produced in Assam and Meghalaya. The event was jointly organized by the Department of Horticulture, Karnataka State Spices Development Board, National Turmeric Board, and the Indian Spices Board.
The MLC pointed out that turmeric is grown across approximately 22,000 hectares in Chamarajanagar district. However, despite the premium quality, farmers face significant challenges. A major issue is the lack of proper cold storage facilities, which puts the crop at risk of damage after harvest. This vulnerability, Shivakumar noted, makes farmers easy prey for middlemen who exploit the situation.
Addressing Systemic Challenges for Farmers
Shivakumar outlined several critical problems plaguing turmeric cultivators. Farmers often decide to plant turmeric after seeing high prices in the previous season. But by the time their crop is ready for the market, prices frequently crash, leading to losses. Furthermore, farmers are dependent on renting processing machinery from neighbouring Tamil Nadu, which increases their overall costs.
He also criticized the existing auction system for not being farmer-friendly. To combat these issues, he reiterated the demand for a regional centre of the National Turmeric Board in Chamarajanagar, similar to the model followed in Telangana. Shivakumar offered to facilitate the allotment of required government land for setting up such a centre.
Call for Action Beyond a "Mere Namesake" Board
Referring to the establishment of the National Turmeric Board by the Union government last year, Shivakumar stressed that it should not remain a mere namesake but must function effectively. He proposed concrete steps to add value to the farmers' produce:
- Setting up local processing units in the region.
- Adopting modern cultivation and processing practices from states like Assam.
- Providing farmers with modern boilers, polishing machines, and tarpaulins.
- Introducing a transparent online marketing system for turmeric, akin to the Tobacco Board, to give farmers clear information on quality and prices.
Echoing the concerns, Karnataka State Spices Development Board Managing Director BR Girish shared broader industry insights. He stated that India produces nearly 80% of the world's turmeric, with annual exports of turmeric and its products worth around Rs 2,800 crore. However, he warned that the cultivation area is shrinking yearly due to crop diseases, dependence on fluctuating international prices, and low productivity, leading to an overall decline in production.
The event was also attended by JD(S) MLC CN Manjegowda, underscoring the cross-party attention on this important agricultural issue for the region.
