Chennai, Jan 5 (NationPress) Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, announced on Monday that the Central Government intends to set up a regional office of the National Turmeric Board (NTB) in Erode, Tamil Nadu, alongside an accredited turmeric testing laboratory. This initiative aims to bolster the turmeric ecosystem in one of India's primary production centers.

In response to a representation from M. Sathyamurthy, the secretary of the Erode Turmeric Merchants and Godown Owners’ Association, the Minister stated that the NTB, which is based in Nizamabad, Telangana, operates under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

He committed to advocating for the NTB’s regional office to be established at Manjal Maanagaram, commonly referred to as Turmeric City.

Chouhan also revealed that the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) would be instructed to open an accredited turmeric testing laboratory in Erode. This facility is anticipated to facilitate quality testing, research, and certification, benefiting farmers, traders, and exporters.

Regarding the demand for developing new turmeric varieties with elevated curcumin content, he assured that ICAR would actively engage in research and breeding programs to fulfill market and medicinal needs.

To address marketing challenges, the Minister remarked that the Union Government would promote the distribution of turmeric nationwide via e-commerce platforms, enhancing market access and improving price realization for farmers.

He also guaranteed strict measures against illegal turmeric trading to safeguard growers’ interests and ensure fair prices.

Chouhan highlighted the operational difficulties faced by turmeric farmers, stating that machinery would be developed for harvesting, drying, and processing turmeric to decrease labor reliance and post-harvest losses.

Furthermore, he mentioned that the Centre plans to introduce a new scheme focused on value addition in turmeric, allowing farmers to transition beyond raw production and secure higher profits.

The Minister noted that improved storage facilities could be implemented under existing Central Government schemes with subsidy support, enabling farmers and traders to better manage storage and price fluctuations.

Earlier, the Union Minister visited the turmeric association in Erode, where he examined various turmeric types on display and inquired about their medicinal attributes. He expressed particular interest in the GI-tagged Erode Virali, a tuber variety of turmeric.

He also received petitions from farmers and traders outlining concerns related to cultivation and marketing, inspected a turmeric field, and engaged with workers in the area.