Turmeric in Ayurveda is considered an important crop. Turmeric holds significant economic, religious, medicinal, and social importance. It is widely used in daily diet, medicines, cosmetics, and organic pesticides.
India is the world’s largest producer and exporter of turmeric. In India, around 6% of the total area under spices and spice crops is dedicated to turmeric cultivation. Apart from India, turmeric is also cultivated in China, Myanmar, Nigeria, and Bangladesh.
When considering the global area under turmeric cultivation, India accounts for 81% of the world’s total turmeric cultivation area, followed by China (7%), Myanmar (4%), Nigeria (3%), Bangladesh (3%), Vietnam (1%), and Sri Lanka (1%).
In India, turmeric is recognized as a major cash crop among spice crops. Geographically, India has favorable conditions for turmeric cultivation, making it suitable for cultivation across the country. Turmeric is mainly grown in the states of Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, etc. In the year 2019-20, the total area under turmeric cultivation in the country was 2.18 lakh hectares, of which 54,885 hectares were in Maharashtra.
In 2020-21, the area under turmeric cultivation in Maharashtra increased to 60,840 hectares. As of 2020-21, Maharashtra ranks first in the country in terms of area under turmeric cultivation.
India produces 80% of the world’s turmeric. Although India is the largest producer of turmeric in the world, only 6% of the total production is exported. In the year 2020-21, a total of 1160 metric tons of fresh turmeric was exported from India, out of which Maharashtra contributed 51%.
Export of Fresh Turmeric from India and Maharashtra
| Sr.No. | Year | India | Maharashtra | Maharashtra Share | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stock (MT) | Value (CR) | Stock (MT) | Value (CR) | |||
| 1 | 2015-16 | 57,044 | 51 | 32,432 | 28 | 62 |
| 2 | 2016-17 | 1,23,327 | 108 | 55,573 | 49 | 45 |
| 3 | 2017-18 | 53,856 | 33 | 20,577 | 13 | 38 |
| 4 | 2018-19 | 1,66,943 | 111 | 23,737 | 16 | 14 |
| 5 | 2019-20 | 31,858 | 36 | 22,127 | 27 | 57 |
| 6 | 2020-21 | 2,156 | 8 | 510 | 4 | 51 |
Total Export of Spices and Turmeric Powder from India (Quantity in Metric Tons / Value in Crores)
| Sr.No. | Year | Total Turmeric Export from India | Total Export of Spice Crops from India | Turmeric Export Share (%) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stock (MT) | Value (CR) | Stock (MT) | Value (CR) | |||
| 1 | 2015-16 | 88,500 | 92 | 8,43,255 | 1,624 | 6 |
| 2 | 2016-17 | 1,16,500 | 124 | 9,47,790 | 1,781 | 7 |
| 3 | 2017-18 | 1,07,300 | 104 | 10,28,060 | 1,798 | 6 |
| 4 | 2018-19 | 1,33,600 | 142 | 11,00,250 | 1,950 | 7 |
| 5 | 2019-20 | 1,35,000 | 122 | 11,83,000 | 2,151 | 6 |
Turmeric Arrivals at Various Procurement Centers in India since 2019
Since 2019, approximately 50% of turmeric arrivals at various markets across India are from Maharashtra. In particular, markets like Vasmat, Hingoli, and Nanded in Maharashtra account for about 34% of the total turmeric arrivals in the country, placing the state in a leading position.
Due to the multiple beneficial properties of turmeric, farmers are increasingly inclined towards its cultivation. Maharashtra’s climatic conditions are highly favorable for turmeric farming, providing vast potential for expansion in turmeric cultivation. Therefore, it is crucial to continuously address various issues related to turmeric farming such as frequent price fluctuations, lack of regulated markets, limited area under improved varieties, shortage of organic fertilizers, high input costs for land preparation, and absence of mechanized harvesting techniques — all of which are important for enhancing productivity.
Currently, due to insufficient processing, storage, and marketing facilities in Maharashtra, a significant portion of turmeric is transported to other states. If complete infrastructure from cultivation to processing and marketing is developed within the districts, local turmeric farmers will greatly benefit, resulting in increased production.
Considering the challenges faced by farmers, processors, and exporters from cultivation to processing and marketing of turmeric, a study committee has been formed to advise the government on formulating a Turmeric Research and Processing Policy. Subject-specific study groups were also established under this committee to prepare detailed reports covering aspects such as seed/planting material, ideal cultivation practices, harvesting, storage and processing, marketing and branding, value addition, export of turmeric, and geographical indication (GI) tagging.
| Sr.No. | Crop Name | 2019 Area (Thousand Hectares) |
2020 Area (Thousand Hectares) |
2021 Area (Thousand Hectares) |
2022 Estimated Area (Thousand Hectares) |
2022 Estimated Area (Ha.) |
Market Price Share % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sugarcane/Sugarcane/Sugarcane | 27.00 | 28.00 | 30.00 | 32.00 | 305,000 | 34.92% |
| 2 | Fingermillet/Barnyard/Foxtail Millet | 26.00 | 25.00 | 22.80 | 22.00 | 143000 | 23.45% |
| 3 | Sesame/Mustard/Soybean/Turmeric | 13.00 | 16.00 | 14.90 | 15.00 | 97500 | 15.29% |
| 4 | Ginger/Garlic/Fenugreek | 9.00 | 11.00 | 7.90 | 11.00 | 79500 | 11.73% |
| 5 | Onion/Cumin | 4.25 | 4.50 | 3.80 | 3.90 | 25320 | 4.16% |
| 6 | Coriander/Cumin/Clove | 4.50 | 3.00 | 2.40 | 2.40 | 15600 | 2.56% |
| 7 | Fenugreek/Rajma/Maize | 1.50 | 1.50 | 1.00 | 1.40 | 9100 | 1.49% |
| 8 | Punjab and Gujarat | 0.75 | 0.50 | 1.25 | 1.25 | 8125 | 1.33% |
| 9 | Assam/Meghalaya/Arunachal | 1.75 | 1.50 | 1.25 | 1.00 | 6500 | 1.07% |
| 10 | Vikarabad/Sudarshanpur/Tanur | 1.25 | 1.50 | 1.00 | 0.90 | 5850 | 0.96% |
| 11 | Dakshin Garigaon/Guhilabad | 1.75 | 1.00 | 0.90 | 0.90 | 5850 | 0.96% |
| 12 | Bihar/Odisha/Chhattisgarh | 1.75 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 0.80 | 5200 | 0.85% |
| 13 | Bardhampur/Aoria | 1.00 | 1.00 | 0.75 | 0.75 | 4875 | 0.80% |
| 14 | Anantpur/Kanchrapara/Karocha | 0.75 | 0.60 | 0.40 | 0.30 | 1950 | 0.32% |
| 15 | Rajgarh | 0.50 | 0.40 | 0.30 | 0.20 | 1300 | 0.21% |
| Total Area (Thousand Hectares) | 94.75 | 96.50 | 89.65 | 93.80 | 609700 | 100% | |
| Hectare Area (Lakh Ha.) | 6.16 | 6.27 | 5.83 | 6.10 | |||
The Turmeric Research and Processing Policy Study Committee held meetings on 26.02.2021, 31.05.2021, 14.09.2021, 12.10.2021, and 04.12.2021. During these meetings, in-depth discussions were conducted on all aspects necessary for the comprehensive development of turmeric farmers, resulting in the preparation of a draft Turmeric Research and Processing Policy for the state.
