Production of Turmeric in India: An Analysis

Abstract

Though turmeric has a 5000 year old history in India, cultivation practices have not been adequately researched. As a result productivity has been , at best, moderate. As this wonder spice now get global recognition for its tremendous medicinal value, better cultivation method need to be adopted. Turmeric, Curcuma longa Linn (Haldi) of the Zingiberaceae family, is native to India and Southeast Asia. India is the largest producer, consumer and exporter of turmeric. The world production of turmeric stands at around 8,00,000 tonnes, of which India has a share of approximately 75-80 per cent. India consumes about 80 per cent of its own production. Turmeric is also cultivated in China, Myanmar, Nigeria and Bangladesh. The highest cultivated area is in India, which constitutes 82 per cent. Hence, this paper makes an attempt to analyze the prospects of Turmeric production in India including the state wise production of turmeric in India.