Challenges faced by turmeric growers in the Kandhamal region of Odisha

Introduction

Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) is a perennial, herbaceous plant belonging to the Zingiberaceae family, primarily cultivated for its rhizomes. It is Known for its vibrant yellow colour and bioactive compound, curcumin. Turmeric has been extensively used in culinary, medicinal, and industrial applications worldwide (Bhardwaj et al., 2011) [2] . Historically, it has played a crucial role in traditional medicine, particularly in Ayurveda and Chinese medicine, due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties (Prasad & Aggarwal, 2011) [13] . The increasing global demand for natural health products, functional foods, and organic spices has further amplified its economic significance. India dominates the global turmeric market, accounting for nearly 80% of total production, followed by China, Myanmar, Nigeria, and Bangladesh ((Ndondo, 2023) [12] . The global turmeric market was valued at USD 4.3 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.5% from 2023 to 2030, driven by rising consumer awareness of its health benefits. At in Kandhamal face multiple challenges, including limited access to quality seeds, inadequate processing facilities, price fluctuations, lack of direct market linkages, and dependence on intermediaries. Additionally, climate variability, poor irrigation infrastructure, and restricted financial support further constrain productivity and profitability (NABARD, 2022). The present study aims to identify and analyze the key challenges faced by turmeric growers in Kandhamal and explore possible interventions to enhance their livelihood sustainability. The agriculture sector plays a pivotal role in ensuring food security, reducing poverty, and fostering economic growth. It serves as the primary source of income for over 60% of rural households (Surapaka et al., 2022) [18] and demonstrates its critical contribution to rural livelihoods. This substantial rise in agricultural output has positioned Indian agriculture prominently on the global stage. It shows its ability to meet local needs and support the global food supply. Kandhamal turmeric, known as Kandhamal Haldi, is of very high quality, containing 2-3% curcumin, 12.15% oleoresin, and 5.3% volatile oil (KASAM Project Report,2018) [10] . These qualities give it a strong aroma and high medicinal value, making it popular in both domestic and international markets. In recognition of its unique properties, Kandhamal Haldi was awarded a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2019 ((Sahoo et al., 2022) [15] . Odisha contributes about 21% of India's turmeric cultivation, and Kandhamal accounts for more than half of this, making it an important turmericproducing region. India itself is the world's largest producer and exporter of turmeric (Pushp, 2019) [14] . However, farmers in Kandhamal face many challenges. Most of them are tribal farmers who are socio-economically and educationally disadvantaged (Das et al., 2024) [4] . Farmers in Kandhamal rely on traditional practices like shifting cultivation (PODU) and upland farming, which support organic methods but result in low yields (Sahoo et al., 2018) [16] . Limited access to modern technology further hampers productivity. Market challenges also persist, with many farmers forced to sell turmeric at ₹30-35 per kg, far below market rates. This study examines these production and marketing challenges and explores strategies to promote sustainable turmeric farming and improve farmer livelihoods.

Methodology:

The study focuses on the challenges and prospects of turmeric growers in the Kandhamal region, with the Daringibadi block as the primary study area due to its prominence in turmeric cultivation. A multistage purposive sampling method was employed to select the district, block, and villages for the study. Eight villages were chosen from four-gram panchayats within the block, and a sample of 80 turmeric growers was selected through a simple random sampling technique. Data collection was conducted between June and August 2023 using structured interviews to gather primary data. Analytical tools such as percentage analysis, Garrett ranking were utilized to interpret the data. This comprehensive methodology aimed to provide insights into the socio-economic conditions, challenges for turmeric cultivation in the Kandhamal region. The Garrett's ranking method was used to prioritize the challenges faced by the farmers both in the production and marketing of Turmeric in Kandhamal region. The turmeric farmers in the selected villages were asked to rank the challenges they encountered in production and marketing challenges. These ranks were converted into percent position by using the formula Where, R ij = Rank given for the i th item by the j th individual N j = Number of items ranked by the j th individual The percent position of each rank was converted to a score by referring to tables given by Garrette and Woodsworth (1969). Referring to Garrett's table, the estimated percent positions were converted into a score. Thus, for each problem, the mean score was estimated. The problem with the highest mean value was considered as the most important one and the others followed in that order. The challenges were initially included in the pre-structured schedule

Results and Discussion

To rank the problems identified in the production factors, marketing factors, social factors, technological factors, financial factors of turmeric grower, Garret's ranking technique was used. By using the garret's formula, the per cent position was obtained. These were converted into score by relating to garret's table. The mean score value was obtained and constraints having the highest score value was identified as the most important. Social constraints, which arise from societal and economic factors, were analyzed using the Garrett ranking method. Among these, "poor economic condition" was identified as the most significant constraint, with a mean score of 69. This was followed by "lack of finance," which had a mean score of 42.16, and "small size of landholding," ranked third with a mean score of 38.83. These findings highlight the significant impact of socio-economic limitations on turmeric farming practices. The farmers were asked to rank four major constraints in financial parameter. It is observed that the farmers have ranked charges by commission agents with highest mean score of (70.95) followed by fluctuation in market price (57.95), lack of timely credit (44.9) and high cost of rhizome (27).

Conclusion

The turmeric growers in Kandhamal face a multitude of challenges spanning production, marketing, technological, social, and financial domains. Among production-related constraints, financial weakness, lack of storage facilities, and low productivity emerged as the most pressing issues. Marketing constraints such as lack of knowledge about price variation, price fluctuations, and improper marketing channels significantly hinder farmers' profitability. Technological limitations, including a lack of awareness about high-yielding varieties and insufficient adoption of advanced technologies, further exacerbate the situation. Social and financial barriers, such as poor economic conditions, small landholdings, high charges by commission agents, and inadequate access to timely credit, add to the difficulties faced by the farmers. The high cost of production, driven by factors like the use of traditional methods, lack of mechanization, and inefficient primary processing techniques, results in negative profit margins for many farmers. Additionally, the absence of supportive pricing mechanisms leads to distress sales, where farmers are often exploited by middlemen. Limited adoption of improved seed varieties and post-harvest technologies also restricts the potential for enhanced yields and profitability. While some NGOs have initiated efforts to procure turmeric at fairer prices, the rates remain below the prevailing market value, indicating a critical need for government intervention. Supporting these organizations, introducing innovative technologies, and establishing better marketing channels could significantly improve the livelihoods of turmeric farmers. Addressing these systemic challenges through targeted policies and support mechanisms is essential for ensuring the sustainable growth of turmeric cultivation and improving the socio-economic conditions of farmers in Kandhamal.

References

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