Piyush Goyal Unveils National Turmeric Board to Boost India’s Spice Trade
In a bid to elevate the turmeric industry and enhance both its production and global export prospects, Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, inaugurated the National Turmeric Board in New Delhi on Tuesday. This new initiative is expected to further solidify India’s position as the world leader in turmeric production and trade.
The newly formed Board will be headquartered in Nizamabad, a prominent turmeric-growing region in India, and will be led by its first Chairperson, Palle Ganga Reddy. The Board’s role will encompass a broad range of activities aimed at strengthening the turmeric industry. These include focusing on research and development, promoting the health and medicinal benefits of turmeric, and adding value to turmeric-based products. Additionally, it will work on enhancing logistics, supply chains, and finding new international markets for Indian turmeric.
Quality and safety will also be a central pillar of the National Turmeric Board’s operations, ensuring that Indian turmeric maintains high standards in both domestic and international markets. To achieve this, the Board will collaborate closely with various ministries, producers’ associations, and exporters to create a unified approach to the industry’s growth.
Turmeric is often referred to as the “Golden Spice,” owing to its vibrant color and its widespread use in both culinary and medicinal fields. For Indian farmers, turmeric is not just a spice; it’s a key source of livelihood. The spice is grown in over 20 states, including Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, and Meghalaya. Special attention will be given to Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, with an emphasis on boosting turmeric yields and improving farmers’ incomes.
India, which produces over 70% of the world’s turmeric, is home to 30 different varieties of the spice. In the 2023-24 agricultural year, the country cultivated turmeric on 3.05 lakh hectares of land, yielding an impressive 10.74 lakh tonnes. India also dominates global turmeric trade, commanding a 62% share of the market. During the same period, the country exported 1.62 lakh tonnes of turmeric, valued at $226.5 million.
The event was attended by key figures such as Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Bandi Sanjay Kumar, and Nizamabad MP Arvind Dharmapuri. The launch of the National Turmeric Board marks a significant step forward in enhancing the economic potential of this iconic spice and opening new avenues for its global reach.
