The Hindu Business Line : Spices Board moots turmeric export zone in TN

THE Spices Board has identified Salem and Erode regions of Tamil Nadu as potential areas for setting up an agri-export zone for turmeric and, accordingly, it has given a concept paper on the subject to the State Government.

Tamil Nadu is the second largest producer of turmeric in the country. Notwithstanding this, it has not been able to make a big impact on the export front, Mr S Kannan, Director, Marketing Spices Board, who was in Chennai to discuss this matter with the Government authorities early this week, told Business Line. In fact, Tamil Nadu plays an important role in production of range of spices and accounts for a major share in export of turmeric, cardamom, chillies, garlic, curry leaves, tamarind and herbal spices.

Turmeric grown in Erode region is preferred for grinding but due to cross contamination of different varieties and improper post-harvest practices followed, the acceptance level of Erode turmeric has declined sharply. Currently, most of the turmeric produce in the Erode belt is used for domestic consumption and the unit value realisation by the farmers is comparatively lower.

On the other hand, the quality of Salem turmeric is comparatively better and has acceptance in the international market for grinding and blending purposes.

He said the primary objective of setting up an agri-export zone would be to export turmeric and processed products. Other objectives, he said, included moving up of the value chain by promoting processed and value-added form of turmeric exports; to introduce high yielding and disease resistance variety of turmeric having high cur cumin content; to provide adequate and better facilities for proper storing and packing; to introduce scientific cleaning and processing facilities and set up quality control laboratory for upgrading the quality; and to establish backward linkage between farmers, exporters and processing units for promoting exports and better value realisation.

"Since the State is a major supplier of turmeric for export, with a limited intervention in improving the post harvest technology and quality up-gradation, Tamil Nadu's exports share can be increased immediately,'' he pointed out.

The country has 185.32 lakh hectares under turmeric with a total production of 701.66 lakh tonnes. Andhra Pradesh topped both in area and production with 73.93 lakh hectares and 375.77 lakh tonnes respectively. Tamil Nadu followed with 33 lakh hectares with 158.64 lakh tonnes. The other main producing states are Orissa, West Bengal and Assam, he said. The major producing centres in Tamil Nadu are Coimbatore, Dharmapuri, Salem( Athur, Omaloor and Tiruchengodu) Erode (Bhavani, Gopichettipalayam, Sathyamangalam and Kodumudi), Namakkal and Villupuram.

The requirements of infrastructure under AEZ , he said, were facilities for seed development and research and soil research and that could be done through Tamil Nadu Agriculture University. Then there should have to be a processing unit that could process 64 tonnes of turmeric daily. Estimated cost for processing and packaging machinery would be Rs. 20 lakhs. The cost of equipments for common quality testing equipment would around Rs 30 lakhs, he said. Add to this there has to be a scientific/cold storage with a capacity of 5,000 tonne. Already, 25 lakh sq feet storage facilities are available with the local traders, mandies and regulated market committee in Erode, he said.

He said that the Union Ministry of Agriculture would provide 100 per cent grant through Directorate of Extension for strengthening of Agricultural Extension Service and HRD training support. Also cent percent grant is given for innovations in technology and dissemination, besides assistance for market survey, investigation and research grants in the field of agricultural marketing.

Mr Kannan said the Spices Board would provide one-third of the cost subject to the maximum of Rs 75 lakh per beneficiary to cover the cost of setting up of processing and packaging facilities, ISO/HACCP/Organic certifications and quality testing equipment. It would also provide assistance for undertaking sales promotion tours abroad and participation in international fairs. Apart from assistance up to Rs 50,000 towards the cost of courier charges reimbursements, the board would extend marketing support for promoting branded spices and spices products, he said.

The country exported in 2001-02, 21,265.29 tonnes of dry turmeric (Rs 42.10 crore) and 13,734.71 tonnes of turmeric powder (Rs 42.52 crore) taking the total to Rs 84.63 crore.

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