In a significant move to promote the turmeric industry, the Government of India has officially notified the establishment of the National Turmeric Board. This newly formed board aims to play a pivotal role in fostering the growth and development of turmeric and its associated products within the country.
The National Turmeric Board will serve as a beacon for all matters concerning turmeric, enhancing collaborative efforts, and fostering closer coordination with existing bodies such as the Spices Board and other government agencies. Its primary focus will be on harnessing the immense potential of turmeric, capitalizing on its health and wellness benefits that have garnered global attention.
The key objectives of the National Turmeric Board encompass:
- Increasing Awareness and Consumption: The board will strive to raise awareness and stimulate higher consumption of turmeric both domestically and internationally.
- Exploring New International Markets: Efforts will be made to develop new international markets for turmeric exports, contributing to India’s position as the world’s largest producer and exporter of turmeric.
- Research and Development: Encouraging research and development to explore innovative turmeric-based products and capitalize on traditional knowledge for creating value-added turmeric products.
- Capacity Building: Focus on enhancing the skills and capabilities of turmeric growers, enabling them to gain more value from their produce.
- Quality and Food Safety Standards: Promoting adherence to quality and food safety standards, ensuring that turmeric from India maintains its reputation for quality and safety.
- Realizing Turmeric’s Full Potential: The board aims to fully harness turmeric’s potential, ensuring that its benefits are utilized for the betterment of humanity.
The activities of the National Turmeric Board are expected to contribute significantly to the well-being and prosperity of turmeric growers by bringing value addition closer to the farms. This approach will enable growers to receive better returns for their produce. Moreover, the board’s emphasis on research, market development, consumption, and value addition will solidify India’s position in global markets as a leading exporter of high-quality turmeric and related products.
The composition of the board includes a Chairperson appointed by the Central Government, representatives from various ministries and departments, state government representatives on a rotation basis, research institutions, farmers, exporters, and a Secretary appointed by the Department of Commerce.
India currently dominates the global turmeric industry as the largest producer, consumer, and exporter. In the 2022-23 season, India cultivated turmeric across 3.24 lakh hectares, yielding over 11.61 lakh tonnes, representing over 75% of global turmeric production. The country boasts over 30 turmeric varieties grown in more than 20 states, with Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu being the top producing states.
With a substantial share of over 62% in global turmeric trade, India exported 1.534 lakh tonnes of turmeric and its products valued at $207.45 million USD in 2022-23. Leading export destinations for Indian turmeric include Bangladesh, the UAE, the USA, and Malaysia.
With the National Turmeric Board’s concerted efforts, it is anticipated that turmeric exports will surge to an impressive $1 billion USD by 2030, cementing India’s position as a global leader in the turmeric industry.