National Turmeric Board with Nizamabad headquarters launched

Union Minister Piyush Goyal inaugurates National Turmeric Board to boost turmeric farmers' income and exports, promoting research and development.

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, on Tuesday (January 14, 2025), inaugurated the National Turmeric Board (NTB) to be headquartered in Nizamabad with Palle Ganga Reddy as its first chairperson at New Delhi.

The Minister flanked by Nizamabad BJP MP D. Aravind stated virtually that the launch of NTB on the auspicious Sankranti festival celebrations across the country augured well for the turmeric farmers across the country in about 20 States.

Farmers growing turmeric, known as ‘Golden Spice’, are spread across Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya and others. NTB will help boost their incomes and also give impetus to increase production especially in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana where there is a lot of potential, he said.

Mr. Goyal pointed out that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced the formation of the NTB last year but it could not take shape due to the model code of conduct due to elections. NTB will promote research and development of new turmeric products, provide value addition of turmeric related products for marketing abroad. The Board will also look into creating awareness on the essential and medical properties of turmeric, ways to increase its yield and boost logistics and supply chain to foster trade into newer markets, he said

Representatives from various central ministries, from among exporters, producers bodies and farmers from various States will be added to NTB. The Board will also ensure quality and safety standards of turmeric production and exports, explained Mr. Goyal.

Last year, an area of 3.05 lakh hectare was under turmeric cultivation in the country with a production of 10.74 lakh tonnes or over 70% of global turmeric production. He also shared that there are 30 varieties of turmeric produced in India and it is the largest producer, consumer and exporter of turmeric in the world with more than 62% share of world trade. During 2023-24, 1.62 lakh tonnes of turmeric and turmeric products valued at $226.5 million was exported.

Mr. Sanjay Kumar thanked Mr. Modi and Mr. Goyal and hailed the role played by Nizamabad MP D. Aravind for setting up the NTB, a long pending demand of the farmers. Joining virtually from Karimnagar, he pointed out that long time party activist Palle Gangadhar Reddy has been appointed as the chairman of the board and hoped it will go a long way in ensuring proper selling price for turmeric.