Context

• Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal virtually inaugurated the National Turmeric Board. In October 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the establishment of the National Turmeric Board.

National Turmeric Board

• Chairman: Palle Gangareddy for a three-year term.
• HQ: Nizamabad, Telangana

Status of Turmeric

• Largest Producing States in India: Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
• India has more than 62% share of world trade in turmeric.
• Leading export markets for India: Bangladesh, UAE, USA and Malaysia.
• India is the largest producer, consumer and exporter of turmeric in the world.
• Turmeric exports from India are expected to rise to US$ 1 Billion by 2030.

About Turmeric

• Spice and herb from the root of the Curcuma longa plant.
• Turmeric is also known as ‘Golden Spice’.
• Native: Southeast Asia and India
• Family: Ginger Family
• Variety: Salem, Suroma, Saguna, Sudarshan, Armoor, Tekkurpet, Duggirala, Amalapuram, Lakdong etc.
• Curcumin is a major component of turmeric.
• 'Kandhamal Haldi' of Odisha received the GI tag.

Climatic Conditions to grow Turmeric

• Temperature Range: 20-35 C
• Annual rainfall: 1500 mm or more
• Soil: Well-drained sandy or clay loam soils with a pH range of 4.5-7.5

Uses of Turmeric

• In the form of masala, coloring material, medicine
• To enhance the taste of food
• Anti-cancer properties
• Used in beauty to brighten the skin.
• As a pain reliever in case of internal bleeding.

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