The Ministry of Commerce & Industry has launched the Farmers Interaction and Market Linkage Programme at the National Turmeric Board headquarters in Nizamabad, Telangana. The event also marked the formal launch of the Sunhari Mitti Abhiyaan, an initiative focused on natural farming practices and export-quality turmeric production. The programme brings together farmers, exporters, processors and agricultural experts to strengthen India’s turmeric sector.
What the programme covers
The Sunhari Mitti Abhiyaan encourages farmers to adopt natural farming methods and reduce dependence on chemical inputs. The initiative aims to position Indian turmeric in international markets across Asia, Europe and the United States by producing chemical-residue-free turmeric that can command premium prices.
A key focus of the programme is building direct connections between exporters and commercial processors with Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs). This is intended to remove middlemen from the supply chain and increase the money that reaches farmers at the farm gate.
The National Turmeric Board plans to offer subsidies for post-harvest infrastructure and provide training on quality improvement. The Board’s strategic roadmap also includes export promotion initiatives to support the turmeric industry.
The launch event featured an exhibition displaying turmeric varieties from Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Meghalaya and Odisha, along with value-added products including turmeric oil, oleoresins, curcumin extracts, curcumin tablets and turmeric honey.
What this means for you
If you grow turmeric, the programme offers a pathway to higher incomes through direct buyer connections and reduced intermediaries. Adopting natural farming practices under the Sunhari Mitti Abhiyaan can open access to premium international markets that pay more for chemical-free produce.
For processors and exporters, the initiative facilitates institutional partnerships with farmer groups, ensuring stable supply chains and quality products for global sales.