Berhampur: Turmeric farmers of Kandhamal heaved a sigh of relief after the district administration announced minimum support price of Rs 60 per kilo for the produce.
Earlier, the state government had applied for a GI tag for 'Kandhamal haladi' (turmeric variety).
The golden yellow spice has been cultivated in the district since time immemorial and is known for its medicinal value. But there was no support price for turmeric, as it is not deemed as an essential commodity.
Farmer Satnami Kanhar from Raikia said sowing of turmeric this year has been 45-50 per cent less than that of last year.
This was mainly because of low prices.
Kandhamal Apex Spices Association for Marketing (Kasam) was purchasing turmeric at Rs 55 per kilo from its registered farmers. But those who are not registered with Kasam were selling it for Rs 30-35 per kilo to traders and there was distress sale.
The government had formed Kasam, which consisted of 61 societies with 12,000 registered farmers, for the sale of turmeric.
"However, many more farmers are yet to be included with Kasam. Steps were being taken to help the farmers to get right price for their crop," said Kasam secretary Sanjit Kumar Patnaik.
"We have informed all the block development officers, tehsildars, sub-collectors of Phulbani and Baliguda, secretaries of the regulated market committees, officers-in-charge of all police stations to sincerely implement the MSP order. Stringent action would be taken if there is any violation," said Kandhamal collector Brunda D.
"Around 13,756 hectares was cultivated in 2014-15 that produced 1.31 lakh metric tonnes of turmeric. Similarly, 13,300 hectares was cultivated in 2015-16 that produced 1.19 lakh metric tonnes of turmeric. In 2016-17, 12,710 hectares was cultivated that produced 1.18 lakh metric tonnes of turmeric," said deputy director agriculture Manoj Kumar Das.
There is a demand for turmeric in the US and European countries. The UAE, the US, UK, Singapore and Japan are major buyers of turmeric from India.
Phulbani is known for its turmeric and ginger in the state. Odisha is the second largest turmeric producing state after Andhra Pradesh, and most of it is grown in Phulbani, said Das.
