Daringbadi: Nonexecution of minimum support price (MSP) and lack of incentives have pushed the turmeric farmers in Kandhamal district to the brink as traders and middlemen make hay at their cost, a report said. The issue has gained momentum after the price of world-famous Kandhamal turmeric witnessed a rise after a gap of 13 years. Dry turmeric is reported to be sold at Rs 100 per kg in retail market of the district. Traders apprehend that the price of turmeric might rise further in the coming days and have started hoarding the golden yellow spice.
However, farmers continue to incur losses. The farmers harvested the crop in December and incurred a loss of Rs 40-50 per kg of turmeric while the traders who had hoarded it are now making hay. Farmers claimed that they can be benefited if the state government implements the MSP for turmeric.
Sources said turmeric cultivated in the Kandhamal district has been grown in this region for centuries by the tribals. The cultivation methodology adopted by the tribals is organic and environmentally resilient having high productivity. The turmeric grown here has very high curcumin content which is rich in anti-oxidant. The turmeric is grown here in an organic method. It has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties which are effective treatments for a variety of skin conditions and stomach-related ailments. The curcumin present in turmeric has the capacity to prevent dreaded diseases like cancer.
The turmeric is manufactured, processed, and marketed by Kandhamal Apex Spices Association for Marketing (KASAM). The outfit has opened a small sales centre in Daringbadi and is selling the product. Tourists from in and outside of the state have a huge crush on Kandhamal turmeric. They never forget to buy it when they visit Daringbadi.
A handful of women self-help groups are processing the harvested turmeric and selling it in various fairs and tourist sites and earning handsome money. However, the farmers engaged in turmeric cultivation are always at the receiving end. They often resort to distress sales and sell it to middlemen and traders at throwaway prices due to a lack of processing facilities and incentives for them by the state government. Although the farmers have been demanding the establishment of turmeric processing units, execution of MSP for turmeric, and loan facilities for cultivation, their pleas are yet to be heeded.
