# Introduction

Turmeric (Haldi) is treated and dried rhizomes or underground stem of a perennial herb called Curcuma longa L. Turmeric has many applications in household kitchen masala, also widely used for food flavouring, dye, drug and cosmetic in addition to its use in religious ceremonies. 

India is the leading producer and exporter of turmeric in the world. The major turmeric growing states in India are Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Assam and Orissa.

Both, Turmeric and Ginger, are high value items, have similar soil and climatic requirements and similar growing process. Both have a very high market potential for both domestic as well as export markets.

Soil preparation & Enrichment · Soil preparation is started by the month of February. The soil is brought to a fine tilth (all stones etc. removed) by giving three to four deep ploughings. Thereafter pH and OSC (Organic soil carbon) is checked and further corrected to bring them to best suitable standard value through using exclusive organic materials. Soil is further enriched with nutritional values through using organic manures / fertilisers. 

Under irrigated conditions land preparation and sowing can be undertaken from February onwards. A raised bed system with bd width of 4 ft. and hight of 1 ft. with a spacing of 50 cm between the beds is created in the field.

Varieties / Curcumin %age

There are various varieties of Turmeric with different curcumin %age. .  

1. Lakadong (14%), Highest in demand
2. Roma & Suroma, (12%), but very low awareness, low in demand, 
3. Pragathi & Pratibha (<10%), regular in use
4. Kasturi, Aroma and high yield.

Curcumin is a main compound in turmeric, which makes it highly suitable for medicinal and cosmetic applications. Curcumin %age makes it a highly precious crop.

Consulting Services

We, at Akarshak Institute, give consulting services for turmeric cultivation. Our presence in the field is being recognised in all across India and many overseas countries also.