Hyderabad, Dec.17 (RAHNUMA): Minister for Agriculture Tummala Nageswara Rao said that collective efforts are needed to elevate the turmeric grown in the country to a level where it can compete in global markets.
Participating in the Turmeric Value Chain Summit – 2025, jointly organised by CII Telangana and the National Turmeric Board in Hyderabad on Wednesday, the Minister spoke extensively on the welfare of turmeric farmers, value addition, and export opportunities.
The Minister recalled that the state government had recently announced the Agri Vision 2047 at the prestigious Telangana Rising Global Summit. He stated that this vision views agriculture not merely as a welfare sector, but as a major engine for the state’s economic growth.
The Minister said that turmeric also has a role to play in the government’s Agri Vision.
“Although the National Turmeric Board, a long-cherished aspiration of Nizamabad farmers, has been established, it needs to become fully operational,” Tummala said.
He urged that the board should function not merely within the confines of its office, but as an institution that guides farmers on policy matters, takes research to the farmers’ fields, and provides leadership in marketing, branding, and exports.
Despite the favorable climate and hardworking farmers in Telangana, the Minister expressed concern over the decrease in turmeric cultivation area due to price fluctuations. He stated that farmers are spending Rs. 8,000–9,000 to produce one quintal of turmeric, but the market prices are only around Rs. 12,000, which is discouraging the farmers.
Tummala Nageswara Rao urged the National Turmeric Board to work in line with its Vision 2047 and provide price stability and advance market signals to the farmers
“National Turmeric Board chairman Palle Ganga Reddy said turmeric is the only spice with a dedicated board and is cultivated in about eight lakh acres in India, with Telangana accounting for about 60,000 acres. He called for scientific studies, quality improvement and better facilities at major turmeric markets such as Nizamabad.
Agriculture Secretary K. Surendra Mohan said Telangana produces nearly 10% of the world’s turmeric, involving over 40,000 farmers, and stressed the need for FPOs, value addition and organic farming to boost incomes and exports.
Over 200 stakeholders, including policymakers, industry leaders, representatives from the Spices board and farmers, participated in the summit.
