The Union Minister of Commerce & Industry inaugurated the National Turmeric Board in New Delhi on January 14, 2025. The formation of this board aims to bolster India’s dominance in the global turmeric market. The board’s headquarters will be located in Nizamabad, a key turmeric producing region.
The Minister emphasized the auspicious timing of the launch and highlighted the diverse representation on the board, including officials from various ministries, exporters, and producer organizations. He referred to turmeric as the “Golden Spice” and stressed the board’s commitment to the welfare of turmeric farmers across 20 states, including Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, and Meghalaya. He specifically noted the significant potential for increased production in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, predicting that the board’s formation would significantly boost farmer incomes in these regions and across the country.
The board’s mandate encompasses several key areas:
- Promoting R&D into new turmeric products and value addition for international markets.
- Raising awareness of turmeric’s health and medicinal properties and exploring new trade opportunities.
- Focusing on increasing turmeric yield and improving logistics and supply chains.
- Ensuring adherence to quality and safety standards for both production and export.
The newly appointed chairman of the board echoed this commitment to quality and safety standards. He also shared key statistics highlighting India’s leading role in the turmeric industry. In 2023-24, India cultivated turmeric on 3.05 lakh hectares, producing 10.74 lakh tonnes, representing over 70% of global production. He also noted the diversity of Indian turmeric, with 30 different varieties cultivated.
The board’s composition includes representatives from the Ministry of AYUSH, Department of Pharmaceuticals, Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, and Department of Commerce. Representatives from Maharashtra, Telangana (the top two producing states), and Meghalaya (known for its Lakadong Turmeric) will also serve on the board, with state representation rotating.
The National Turmeric Board will provide leadership, enhance existing efforts, and facilitate coordination with government departments and agencies related to the turmeric sector. This focused approach aims to capitalize on the vast potential for expanding turmeric and turmeric product trade, particularly given the growing recognition of its health benefits.
India is the world’s largest producer, consumer, and exporter of turmeric, holding over 62% of the global trade share. In 2023-24, India exported 1.62 lakh tonnes of turmeric and turmeric products, valued at US$226.5 million. The establishment of the National Turmeric Board marks a significant step towards further strengthening India’s position in the global turmeric market.
