Hyderabad: Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla on Tuesday called for modern technology, natural farming and value addition to increase turmeric farmers income and strengthen market opportunities.
He also stressed processing and stronger market linkages while addressing a farmer interaction programme in Nizamabad. The National Turmeric Board organised the programme at its headquarters in the district. Turmeric farmers attended the interaction with the Governor.
Shukla said farmers’ welfare remained fundamental to the prosperity of Telangana and the country. During the programme, the Governor launched the ‘Sunhari Mitti Abhiyan’. He also launched a market linkage programme in the presence of turmeric farmers.
Moreover, Shukla felicitated outstanding farmer organisations with mementos for their work. Shukla said Nizamabad had secured a special position in India’s turmeric sector. He attributed this standing to the district’s fertile soil and the hard work of its farmers.
The establishment of the National Turmeric Board headquarters in Nizamabad had marked an important milestone, he said. According to the Governor, the Board’s establishment had also fulfilled a longstanding aspiration of turmeric farmers in the region.
Shukla credited MP Dharmapuri Arvind’s special initiative and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s support for the establishment of the Board. He said the Prime Minister had undertaken several initiatives aimed at making agriculture more remunerative. Those measures had also sought to improve farmers’ livelihoods, he added.
“Turmeric is not merely an agricultural commodity. It is deeply intertwined with India’s culture, traditions, Ayurveda, spirituality and everyday life,” Shukla said. The Governor also described turmeric as an important symbol of India’s rich agricultural heritage.
Turmeric farmers income to benefit from processing push
Shukla said the National Turmeric Board had objectives extending beyond maintaining India’s position as the world’s largest turmeric producer. He said the Board also aimed to develop India into a global hub for turmeric processing and value-added products.
Greater processing and value addition could expand opportunities beyond the sale of turmeric as a basic agricultural commodity. The Governor also appreciated the National Turmeric Board’s initiatives to train farmers in improving produce quality.
In addition, he highlighted the Board’s efforts to promote modern agricultural practices and better post-harvest management. Shukla called for greater adoption of technology alongside natural farming practices. He also stressed stronger market connections for turmeric growers.
The Governor said these measures would help improve turmeric farmers income while strengthening the broader turmeric sector.