Turmeric: The Golden Spice of India
Date: 28-5-2025Turmeric, often called the golden spice, holds deep cultural, medicinal, and agricultural importance in India. From religious rituals to culinary and medicinal uses, turmeric has been an integral part of Indian traditions for centuries.
Turmeric in Tradition and Medicine
In Indian weddings, the pre-wedding haldi ceremony is considered sacred. Beyond tradition, this ritual has scientific significance—turmeric acts as a natural purifier, protecting the skin from infections and enhancing complexion. Ayurveda values turmeric for its antiseptic, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. It is widely used to heal wounds, boost immunity, and treat colds and coughs. To maximize turmeric yields, farmers are increasingly adopting drip irrigation systems and smart water management solutions for efficient cultivation.
India’s Role in Global Turmeric Production
India accounts for 80% of the world’s turmeric production, thanks to its ideal climate and fertile soil. The key medicinal component of turmeric, curcumin, gives it its bright yellow color and therapeutic properties. With rising global demand, high-quality turmeric production has become essential.
Best Practices for High-Yield Turmeric Farming
To cultivate premium-quality turmeric, farmers must focus on:
- High-Quality Seed Selection – Utilize genetically superior, disease-free seed rhizomes from certified sources to ensure high-yield and quality turmeric production.
- Optimized Planting Methodology –Adopt the raised bed technique with a bed height of 1.5 feet to facilitate optimal soil moisture retention and excess water drainage. Maintain plant-to-plant spacing of 45–60 cm in a zig-zag pattern, while ensuring inter-bed spacing of 5–6 feet for effective canopy development and ease of management.
- Precision Irrigation Management – Deploy a drip irrigation system for uniform water distribution and efficient nutrient delivery. Employ drippers with a discharge rate of 1.2–2 LPH, optimizing soil moisture levels and maintaining an ideal microenvironment for rhizome development. Precision fertigation through the drip system ensures targeted nutrient assimilation and minimizes leaching losses. Using smart irrigation systems like automated drip irrigation can further enhance water-use efficiency and crop yield.
- Integrated Nutrient Management – Apply 5 tons per acre of farmyard manure (FYM) or sugar mill press mud compost to enhance soil microbial activity and organic matter content. Utilize minimal yet targeted chemical fertilizers exclusively via drip fertigation to improve nutrient-use efficiency. Incorporate cow urine (2–5 liters per acre weekly, aged a minimum of 40 days) to augment curcumin synthesis, improve rhizome pigmentation, and enhance bioactive compound concentrations.
Sustainable and Profitable Future
By adopting these best practices, farmers can produce high-yield, high-curcumin turmeric, ensuring sustainability and profitability. As the world increasingly recognizes turmeric’s health benefits, India’s golden spice continues to shine on the global stage.
Read Here how precision irrigation can help grow more turmeric with better results.
Vijaykumar M. Sarur
Chief-Agronomist
Kothari Agritech Pvt Ltd