The All-India Turmeric Farmers’ Federation has decided that its members will not sell turmeric unless given a minimum price of Rs 90 per kg, in this season. Presently the crop is not included in the essential commodity list and there is no support price, turmeric farmers have demanded a high minimum support price (MSP) for the turmeric.
For declaration of MSP for turmeric, farmers at Erode and other production centres are agitating for it and an estimated 80% of the farmers of Erode district and other delivery centres have stopped bringing the produce to the mandis.
Due to low prices, delayed rains and better prices of other crops the estimated all India sowing of the turmeric this year has been in the range of 45-50% of the last year. Besides, the production may also be impacted as Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka states have been experiencing cyclonic weather.
Moreover, in the absence of fresh overseas orders exporters are staying away from the market. On the other hand, due to increasing demand and lower output traders on commodity exchanges can see good opportunity to invest in turmeric for long-term.