GoTelangana Governor Shukla calls for modern farming, stronger market linkages for turmeric growers
Nizamabad, Aug 25 (TNT): Telangana Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla on Tuesday urged turmeric farmers to adopt modern technologies, focus on quality production and strengthen collective marketing mechanisms to improve their incomes and competitiveness.
Addressing a farmer interaction programme after launching the ‘Sunhari Mitti Abhiyan’ and a market linkage programme for turmeric farmers at the National Turmeric Board (NTB) headquarters here, Shukla said farmer welfare was fundamental to the prosperity of the State and the nation.
The Governor said growing international demand for residue-free and high-quality turmeric offered farmers an opportunity to secure better prices and expand access to overseas markets.
He stressed the need for stronger market linkages to connect farmers directly with exporters and make them more responsive to market requirements.
Farmers should be made aware of quality standards and market demand, while Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) should be supported in establishing direct market linkages, he said.
The Governor called for greater coordination among farmers, scientists, exporters, industry and government to strengthen the position of Indian turmeric in markets across Asia, Europe and the US.
Shukla said the establishment of the NTB headquarters in Nizamabad marked a significant milestone and fulfilled a long-standing aspiration of turmeric farmers in the region.
The Board should work beyond retaining India’s position as the world’s largest turmeric producer and focus on making the country a global hub for turmeric processing and value-added products, he said.
Ensuring remunerative prices for turmeric growers and strengthening the global identity of Indian turmeric should remain key priorities, the Governor said, adding that turmeric was deeply linked with India’s culture, traditions, Ayurveda and spirituality.
He appreciated the NTB’s initiatives to train farmers in quality improvement, modern farming practices and post-harvest management. Facilities such as boilers, polishers and mini-processing units would help farmers and FPOs undertake value addition and improve their incomes, he said.
Describing the ‘Sunhari Mitti Abhiyan’ as a forward-looking initiative, Shukla said it would promote natural farming and contribute to export promotion. Reducing dependence on chemical fertilisers and external inputs could improve soil health, protect the environment and reduce cultivation costs, he added.
MP Dharmapuri Arvind said the establishment of the NTB headquarters in Nizamabad had fulfilled a four-decade-long aspiration of turmeric farmers in the region. The Board’s presence in Nizamabad would bring several benefits to turmeric farmers, while turmeric prices had improved compared to the past, he said.
Special Chief Secretary to the Governor M Dana Kishore, NTB Chairman Palle Ganga Reddy, Nizamabad Mayor Uma Rani, Nizamabad Urban MLA Dhanpal Suryanarayana Gupta, Armur MLA P Rakesh Reddy, NTB Secretary Bhavani Sri, Nizamabad District Collector Bhavesh Mishra and Nizamabad Police Commissioner P Sai Chaitanya were among those present.
TNT TS
