The haldi plantation in Khandhamal

Bhubaneswar, July 17: A visitor to the Orissa capital this month spent two hours frantically searching for “organic turmeric”.

Directed to the sales outlet of Orissa Marketing Federation (Omfed), he was disappointed when informed that the outlet had run out of stocks. But finally the precious haldi was traced to a small shop at the back of Ekamra Haat, Bhubaneswar’s equivalent of Dilli Haat, showcasing handicrafts and products made by tribals.

The golden yellow Kandhamal haldi, named after the district where it is produced, is creating ripples in the world of spices. The spice has made its way to shelves across the United States, several countries in Europe, including Germany and Netherlands, besides Japan because of its organic value. It smells just right, lasts longer and only a pinch adds the colour and the flavour to the food. And it is of course devoid of toxic elements and chemicals.

Turmeric is not the only spice grown in Kandhamal and adjoining areas. And all of them retain the special quality. It happened virtually by default because the poor tribals could not afford to buy inorganic, chemical fertilisers , which enhanced the yield but affected the quality. Their farming has been sustained with hard work and local ideas — folklore speak of how tribes would kill a male child and offer its blood to the field so that the crop’s (turmeric) colour matches that of the blood.

In the district, about 12,000 hectare is diverted for turmeric cultivation and dry haldi weighing 10,000 metric tonne is produced every year. Kandhamal haldi is famous for its colour, texture, aroma, flavour and long shelf life.

The curcumic content in it is claimed to be the highest in the country, to be recognised soon by the Union Control of Holland, a certifying agency engaged to certify its purity.

The spices are being marketed by Omfed, Aryan International, New Delhi; Samiter India, Mumbai; ABC International, Bangalore and Aricha Trading, Calcutta. But as the experience in Bhubaneswar shows, most of it gets exported. Till 2003, however, traders from Berhampur continued to purchase dry turmeric from tribals for paltry sums.

However, the idea of organised turmeric farming on Kandhamal terrain stuck Omfed. It started a government-sponsored project called Kandhamal Women’s Organic Turmeric project (KWOTP) in 2003.

Recalling the days, P.G. Dora, the general manager of the centrally-sponsored scheme, said: “Initially, we thought of poultry and fishery. But soon, we realised the potential for turmeric plantation. Each family in the district had at least a field where they grew turmeric. We knew that if we could channelise the whole thing, there would be no stopping. Soon, societies were formed, training imparted, improved varieties of seed were supplied and marketing of the product under the brand Kandhamal haldi started.”

Currently Omfed directly supervises 305 all-women societies that work for the project and the production has leaped form 250 quintal to 2,937 quintals in a span of four years. This apart the product is being processed and packaged to be sold though Omfed’s existing distribution channel (marketing outlets and booths) across the state.

This apart, two other units named Samanwita and Kasam, who have their processing plant where the Omfed turmeric is packed and independently marketed.

“Exporting is no child’s play. We need to be very particular in terms of hygiene, design and packaging. There was an instance when a whole consignment was returned after one packet had a hair inside it,” said Pramod Pattnaik, secretary of Kasam that has 61 societies working under it.

Despite all this, the domestic market seems ignorant about the quality of the product. “Many here do not understand the concept of organic spices. It’s very difficult to explain the difference between the Rs 45 per kg Kandhamal haldi and the Rs 10 per kg haldi available in the market,” said Pattnaik.