metro india news  I nizamabad

The dream of the turmeric farmers has finally been realized. Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, virtually inaugurated the National Turmeric Board (NTB) on Tuesday is to be headquartered in Nizamabad with Palle Ganga Reddy as its first chairperson at New Delhi.

Nizamabad BJP MP D. Aravind stated that launch of NTB on the auspicious Sankranti festival celebrations across the country augured well for the turmeric farmers across the country in about 20 States

The ‘Golden Spice’ as it is known is grown in 2.5 lakh acres across Telangana. Last year, an area of 3.05 lakh hectare was under turmeric cultivation in the country with a production of 10.74 lakh tonnes or over 70% of global turmeric production. The states where turmeric is grown apart from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh are Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya and other states.

During the virtual inauguration, Goyal said that the National Turmeric Board did not take shape last year due to the model code of conduct. It may be noted that P M Modi had announced the formation of NTB last year.

The Board will also look into creating awareness on the essential and medical properties of turmeric, ways to increase its yield and boost logistics and supply chain to foster trade into newer markets, he said

Representatives from various central ministries, from among exporters, producers bodies and farmers from various States will be added to NTB. The Board will also ensure quality and safety standards of turmeric production and exports, explained Mr. Goyal.