Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, today, January 14, 2025, officially inaugurated the National Turmeric Board in New Delhi, marking a significant step in the development of the country's turmeric sector. The Minister also announced Palle Ganga Reddy as the first Chairperson of the newly formed Board. The headquarters of the Board will be located in Nizamabad.
The launch of the National Turmeric Board coincides with a day of national celebrations, as noted by Piyush Goyal. He emphasized that the Board will include representatives from various ministries and will also involve stakeholders from exporter and producer bodies.
Turmeric: The Golden Spice
Goyal referred to turmeric as the ‘Golden Spice’ and highlighted the Board’s focus on supporting turmeric farmers, especially in key growing states like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, and Meghalaya. He stressed the potential for expanding turmeric production in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, with the Board set to play a crucial role in boosting the income of turmeric producers across the country.
The Board’s objectives will include promoting research and development of turmeric-based products, enhancing the value addition of these products, and expanding marketing opportunities abroad. The Board will also work on increasing awareness of turmeric's essential and medicinal properties, improving yields, and strengthening logistics and supply chains to explore new markets. Ensuring quality standards for turmeric production and exports will also be a priority, according to the Minister.
Goyal further shared that, in the 2023-24 period, 3.05 lakh hectares of land were dedicated to turmeric cultivation in India, yielding 10.74 lakh tonnes. India produces more than 70% of the world’s turmeric, with 30 different varieties grown across the country. The event was also attended by Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Bandi Sanjay Kumar, and Arvind Dharmapuri, Member of Parliament from Nizamabad.
National Turmeric Board’s Objective & Leadership
The National Turmeric Board will aim to promote the overall growth of the turmeric sector, improve coordination among government departments, and enhance efforts to tap into the untapped potential for increasing turmeric trade, particularly given the growing global demand for health and wellness products containing turmeric.
The Board's leadership will consist of representatives from the Ministry of AYUSH, the Department of Pharmaceuticals, the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, and the Department of Commerce. Additionally, representatives from Maharashtra, Telangana, and Meghalaya- the states known for their significant turmeric production- will contribute to the Board’s work.
India remains the world’s largest producer, consumer, and exporter of turmeric, accounting for over 62% of global trade. In 2023-24, India exported 1.62 lakh tonnes of turmeric and turmeric products, valued at USD 226.5 million USD.
National Turmeric Board से देश-विदेश में बजेगा भारतीय हल्दी का डंका... pic.twitter.com/yK9H7Y7xW1
— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) January 14, 2025
