CAN THE TURMERIC BOARD SPROUT INDIA'S GOLDEN SPICE?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in October 2023 announced the setting up of the National Turmeric Board after which the Government of India notified the same to focus on the development and growth of turmeric and turmeric products in the country.

- RAMEESH KAILASAM

Finally, on 14th of January 2025, the Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Piyush Goyal inaugurated the National Turmeric Board in the presence of BJP MP Arvind Dharmapuri, who welcomed him with a garland made of turmeric horns. The Board will be located in Nizamabad, Telangana, which is a key turmeric-producing district in the country. The demand for a Turmeric Board was an effort that was ongoing for the past four decades and received a boost with the current BJP MP from Nizamabad Arvind Dharmapuri staunchly voicing the issue on behalf of the turmeric farmers with the Prime Minister. 15th of January 2025 also saw the release of "AMWAY-ICRIER" report aptly titled "Making India the Global Hub for Turmeric" that lays down the issues as well as the way forward that India should undertake.

Turmeric, as we all know, is also called the 'Golden Spice of India'. The interesting part about turmeric is its multi-use case as it can be consumed as a vegetable, medicine, nutraceutical, skincare, or through cosmetics due to its preventive, therapeutic, and curative properties, besides having been integral to Indian and South Asian cuisines. Turmeric is also an essential part of every spiritual, devotional, religious, and marriage rituals as well as a component in dyes and colours.

The AMWAY-ICRIER report states that rising awareness of curcumin's medicinal benefits has also led to an increase in turmeric demand. In 2023, the global turmeric market was valued at USD 587 million, with exports accounting for USD 320 million. The export value increased by 13.56 per cent between 2017 and 2023.