Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal officially launched the National Turmeric Board in New Delhi on Tuesday, an initiative to revitalise and expand India’s turmeric industry. The inauguration of this National Turmeric Board aims to increase turmeric production and exports. 

A press release from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said that Palle Ganga Reddy has been appointed as the first chairperson of the board, headquartered in Nizamabad. The board will concentrate on essential areas such as research and development, value addition of turmeric products and raising awareness about the medicinal and crucial properties of the spice. It will also improve turmeric production, enhance supply systems and supply chains, and explore new international markets for turmeric. Ensuring quality and safety requirements for turmeric production and exports will be necessary to the Board's duty.

Goyal stressed that the board will include representatives from different ministries, exporters and producer organisations to provide a comprehensive strategy for developing the turmeric industry.

Turmeric, often called the "golden spice", has vast economic prospects for Indian farmers, specifically those who reside in 20 states, including Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh and Meghalaya. Goyal mentioned that the board will concentrate on increasing turmeric production in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, supporting increased farmers' earnings.

India controls more than 70% of the world's turmeric production, with 30 varieties of turmeric cultivated in the country. In 2023-24, turmeric was cultivated on 3.05 lakh hectares of land in India, yielding 10.74 lakh tonnes.

Goyal noted that India accounts for 62% of the global turmeric trade, with India exporting 1.62 lakh tonnes of turmeric worth $226.5 million in 2023-24.

Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar and Nizamabad MP Arvind Dharmapuri were present at the inauguration ceremony.