Union Minister for Commerce and Industry launches National Turmeric Board | Current Affairs | Vision IAS
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Union Minister for Commerce and Industry launches National Turmeric Board

Posted 15 Jan 2025

2 min read

In October 2023, the Union government had officially notified the establishment of the National Turmeric Board.

About National Turmeric Board (NTB)

  • Headquarters: Nizamabad, Telangana (a major turmeric-producing region).
  • Ministry: Ministry of Commerce and Industry
  • Prominent Members
    • Key Department & Ministries: Representatives of Ministry of AYUSH, Department of Pharmaceuticals, Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Department of Commerce.
    • States: Will be represented on the Board by rotation.
  • Type: NTB is an executive body (not a Statutory Body).

 India’s Dominance in the Global Turmeric Industry

  • India is the largest producer, consumer, and exporter of turmeric.
  • Accounts for: 70% of global production & 62% of global trade. 
  • India in 2023-24: Cultivated turmeric on 3.05 lakh hectares & produced over 10 lakh tonnes of turmeric.
  • The largest producing states of Turmeric: Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
  • More than 30 varieties of Turmeric are grown in India and it is grown in over 20 states in the country. 
    • Major varieties with GI (Geographical Indication) Tags: Erode Turmeric (Tamil Nadu), Lakadong Turmeric (Meghalaya, known for high curcumin content), Kandhamal Haldi (Odisha). 
  • Targets:
    • Double the production to 20 lakh tonnes in five years.
    • By 2030, turmeric exports are projected to reach $1 billion USD.

About Turmeric (Curcuma longa); also called ‘Golden Spice’

  • Type: Perennial, rhizomatous herbaceous plant native to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia.
  • Significance of Turmeric: It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and detoxifying properties. It helps protect the liver from damage, supports detoxification, etc.
  • Climatic conditions: Turmeric thrives in tropical and subtropical climates with the following conditions:
    • Temperature: Between 20°C and 30°C.
    • Rainfall: Between 1,500 to 2,500 mm annually.
    • Soil: Well-drained, fertile soils rich in organic matter.
    • Altitude: Grows best at elevations up to 1,500 meters above sea level.
 
  • Tags :
  • Turmeric
  • National Turmeric Board
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