National Turmeric Board Chairman P. Ganga Reddy, third from left, and Director, National Institute for Research on Commercial Agriculture, M. Sheshu Madhav, second from left, at the Turmeric Stakeholders’ Conclave in Rajamahendravaram on Friday.
National Turmeric Board (NTB) Chairman Palle Ganga Reddy has said the board is preparing to introduce turmeric-added milk to serve the passengers in trains and flights under the ‘Golden Milk’ project.
Addressing the stakeholders and scientists at the Turmeric Stakeholders’ Conclave here on Friday, Mr. Ganga Reddy said a target had been set to increase turmeric export to ₹5,000 crore from the existing ₹1,876 crore by 2030.
The one-day conclave was organised by the National Institute for Research on Commercial Agriculture (NIRCA), Rajamahendravaram, under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research.
On shortage of labour in turmeric farming, Mr. Ganga Reddy said, “The NTB will collaborate with the Ministry of Rural Development to integrate turmeric farming with MGNREGS to address the issue.”
He advised Andhra Pradesh farmers to adopt high-curcumin turmeric seed varieties to enhance profits.
In India, ‘Lakadong’ turmeric variety from Meghalaya contains up to 9.5% curcumin, and ‘Rajapuri’ variety of Konkan region contains 5–6% curcumin content.
GI tag
In his address, NIRCA Director Maganti Sheshu Madhav said the NIRCA intensified research to secure Geographical Indication (GI) tag for some turmeric varieties being grown in Andhra Pradesh.
“The turmeric farmers of Paderu, Lambasingi, Ravulapalem, and Duggirala will be supported with advanced technologies, best agricultural practices and high-curcumin seed varieties,” Mr. Seshu Madhav said. “It is essential to integrate science, tradition, and entrepreneurship to unlock the potential for the turmeric crop,” he added.
A strategy paper titled, ‘Crafting India’s Turmeric Sector for Global Dominance’, was released at the conclave. Ch. Srinivasa Rao, Director and Vice-Chancellor, Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, called for strategic policy decisions in marketing and cultivation of turmeric.
Y. Venkateswara Rao, Chairman of Rythu Nestham Foundation, Danda Raji Reddy, Vice-Chancellor of Sri Konda Laxman Telangana State Horticultural University, interacted with the farmers.
Published – April 11, 2025 09:25 pm IST
