NTB stresses traceability, quality compliance at turmeric farmers’ meet in Vikarabad
Hyderabad, May 12 (TNT): National Turmeric Board (NTB) Secretary Bhavani Sri, on Tuesday stressed the importance of backward integration and aligning production practices with international market requirements.
She said global consumers increasingly demand complete traceability from “farm to fork”, making coordinated efforts across the supply chain essential.
She observed that better price realisation for farmers and consumer health are closely linked and cannot be viewed separately.
Addressing at the Farmers’ Awareness Programme and Market Linkage Session on turmeric organized by the Board at Siripuram in Marpally Mandal of Vikarabad district, the Secretary noted that export regulations in the European Union and the United States are revised periodically, requiring Indian exporters and farmers to remain updated and compliant.
She pointed out that export rejections due to pesticide residues, contaminants, Sudan dye and Ethylene Oxide continue to remain a major concern.
Bhavani Sri urged stakeholders to ensure rigorous testing and compliance before consignments reach international markets.
Highlighting the importance of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), she called for judicious use of pesticides, proper cleaning and washing of turmeric rhizomes, scientific boiling and curing methods and proper storage practices.
She stated that value addition could significantly improve farmers’ incomes and reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to promoting traceability systems and scientific post-harvest management practices at the grassroots level.
The Secretary also briefed farmers on benefits available through the National Turmeric Board, including subsidy support for post-harvest machinery, training programmes, research and development assistance and interventions aimed at improving post-harvest processing and marketing.
District Horticulture and Sericulture Officer Sattar encouraged farmers to adopt scientific cultivation methods, Good Agricultural Practices and value addition techniques to improve the quality and marketability of turmeric produce.
Agricultural Market Committee Chairman Mahender Reddy appreciated the Board’s efforts in reaching farmers in remote areas and highlighted the need for stronger market linkages and improved price realisation mechanisms for turmeric growers.
A leading turmeric exporter participating in the session stressed the importance of adhering to international quality standards to sustain competitiveness in global markets and noted that higher curcumin content and quality compliance directly contribute to better prices for farmers.
The event brought together turmeric farmers, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), exporters, industry stakeholders and officials to discuss issues related to quality standards, value addition and improved market access for turmeric growers.
TNT TS
