look news india
Kushinagar, 03 August (HS). The farmers of the district have started liking turmeric cultivation. Seeing the commitment of the Yogi government towards the interests of the farmers, the country's renowned institutions like Tata Trust and Azimji Premji Foundation are also helping the farmers through Sustainable Human Development Association (SHDA) working in Purvanchal in the field of agriculture.
With the help of all these, there has been a significant increase in the area under turmeric cultivation in the recent years. Also, after trial of various varieties, due to promotion of the best yielding varieties, the yield per hectare and quality of turmeric has also improved.
Suitable species for Purvanchal
The biggest challenge for promoting turmeric was to find a high-yielding variety. Traditionally, the local variety that farmers sowed had a yield of only 175 quintals per hectare. For this, SHDA, with the help of farmers, did a demo of varieties like Rajendra Sonia, Rajendra Sonali, Meva Number One and Lakadang. Rajendra Sonia gave the highest yield of 450 quintals per hectare. Now this variety of turmeric is being promoted.
In the year 2023, with the help of Azim Premji Foundation, farmers are being encouraged to cultivate other spices like coriander, cumin, fennel, mangrail and celery along with turmeric. The National Seed Research Center located in Ajmer is also helping in this diversification of spice cultivation.
Farming is being done in about 300 hectares
According to Ashok Rai, in-charge of Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Kushinagar, affiliated to the National Agricultural Research Council, farmers are cultivating turmeric in about 250 to 300 hectares in the district. Due to the encouragement received from the Yogi government, an FPO in Dudhhi block is also working in the field of turmeric cultivation, processing and marketing. SHDA is also doing the same work in Ramkola with the help of Tata Trust.
The head of the organization, VM Tripathi, says that there is a lot of potential for turmeric cultivation in Kushinagar. If the government declares Kushinagar as one district one product, then with the facilities provided by it, it can become the second Guntur and Erode in terms of turmeric production.
Possibilities of turmeric cultivation in Kushinagar
Kushinagar is a district of Purvanchal adjacent to Bihar. It has good connectivity from Bihar to Bengal and Northeast states through a four-lane road. After the construction of an international airport, it will have access to foreign countries. Being associated with Buddha, Kushinagar turmeric has the full potential to become a brand like black salt through branding.
Turmeric keeps health and beauty safe
Turmeric, a daily necessity of every household, is also full of benefits. Being antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, turmeric is beneficial in pain, injury, sprain, dental diseases. It has immunity power. It is also a blood purifier. It is very beneficial for the skin. Mellotin present in it is helpful in inducing sleep. Curcumin, due to which turmeric is yellow in color, prevents the growth of cancer cells. It is a tropical plant, it is cultivated for its tuber. The special thing is that it can also be cultivated in the garden. It is used in the field of spices, paint, medicine and cosmetics. Turmerol (oily substance) is produced from its tuber. Its tuber contains high amount of energy (in the form of carbohydrates) and minerals. Culinary art is incomplete without it.
India has a monopoly in the production of turmeric
India has a monopoly on its production. India's share in the world's production is about 80 percent. India's share in export is about 60 percent. America, Britain, Bangladesh are the major exporting countries. Due to disease resistance properties
Demand increased after Corona
After Corona, its demand has increased in other countries, especially in the Middle East. In India, it is mainly produced in Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Maharashtra and the northeastern states.