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Turmeric Boost: Erode to Get National Board Office and Testing Lab

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has announced plans to establish a regional office of the National Turmeric Board in Erode, Tamil Nadu. He also committed to setting up an accredited turmeric testing laboratory through the Indian Council of Agricultural Research. The initiatives aim to support quality testing, research, and certification for the local turmeric industry. Further measures include promoting e-commerce sales, developing processing machinery, and launching a scheme for value addition to benefit farmers and traders.

Key Points: National Turmeric Board Regional Office for Erode Announced

  • Regional office in Turmeric City
  • Accredited testing lab by ICAR
  • E-commerce promotion for sales
  • Action against illegal trading
  • Machinery to reduce labour
2 min read

TN: Union Minister assures National Turmeric Board regional office and testing lab for Erode

Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announces a National Turmeric Board regional office and accredited testing lab for Erode to strengthen the turmeric ecosystem.

"The Centre would move to establish a regional office of the National Turmeric Board in Erode - Shivraj Singh Chouhan"

Chennai, Jan 5

Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, on Monday said the Centre would move to establish a regional office of the National Turmeric Board in Erode, Tamil Nadu, along with an accredited turmeric testing laboratory, to strengthen the turmeric ecosystem in one of the country's key production hubs.

Responding to a representation submitted by M. Sathyamurthy, secretary of the Erode Turmeric Merchants and Godown Owners' Association, the Minister said the NTB - headquartered in Nizamabad, Telangana - functions under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

He assured that he would take up the proposal with the Ministry to establish the NTB's regional office at Manjal Maanagaram, popularly known as Turmeric City.

Chouhan also announced that the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) would be directed to set up an accredited turmeric testing laboratory in Erode. The facility is expected to support quality testing, research, and certification, benefiting farmers, traders and exporters alike.

On the demand for developing new turmeric varieties with higher curcumin content, he said ICAR would actively pursue research and breeding programmes to meet market and medicinal requirements.

Addressing marketing challenges, the Minister said the Union government would promote the sale of turmeric across the country through e-commerce platforms to widen market access and improve price realisation for farmers.

He also assured strict action against illegal turmeric trading to protect growers' interests and ensure fair and remunerative prices.

Highlighting operational constraints faced by turmeric cultivators, Chouhan said machinery would be developed for harvesting, drying and processing turmeric to reduce labour dependence and post-harvest losses.

He added that the Centre would soon roll out a new scheme aimed at value addition in turmeric, enabling farmers to move beyond raw produce and earn higher returns.

The Minister further noted that improved storage facilities could be established under existing Central government schemes with subsidy support, allowing farmers and traders to better manage storage and price volatility.

Earlier, the Union Minister visited the turmeric association premises in Erode, where he inspected various turmeric varieties on display and enquired about their medicinal properties. He showed particular interest in the GI-tagged Erode Virali, a tuber variety of turmeric.

He also received petitions from farmers and traders detailing issues related to cultivation and marketing, inspected a turmeric field, and interacted with workers in the region.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Finally some concrete steps! The testing lab is crucial for quality certification, which will help our turmeric compete globally. My father is a farmer in the region, and post-harvest losses are a big worry. Developing machinery for drying and processing can be a game-changer.
R
Rahul R
Good initiative, but I'll believe it when I see it on the ground. We've heard many assurances before. The key is strict action against illegal trading and ensuring fair prices reach the actual farmer, not just the middlemen. The timeline for the new scheme needs to be clear.
M
Meera T
Promoting Erode Virali GI turmeric is so important! It has unique medicinal properties. A dedicated lab here can help preserve and enhance these indigenous varieties. This is not just economics, it's about protecting our agricultural heritage. Well done!
D
David E
As someone in the export business, having an accredited testing lab in the production hub itself will streamline certification massively. It reduces costs and time. Hope the infrastructure matches international standards. This could really boost 'Make in India' for spices.
A
Anjali F
The focus on higher curcumin content through research is vital for both the wellness industry and exports. Turmeric is not just a spice anymore, it's a health product. Empowering farmers with technology and market access is the perfect holistic approach. 👏

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