Lok Sabha Question No. 3616 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-17
Subject: Promoting Cultivation and Export of GI-tagged Kandhamal Turmeric
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Sukanta Kumar Panigrahi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3616

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 17 th  DECEMBER, 2024

## PROMOTING CULTIVATION AND EXPORT OF GI-TAGGED KANDHAMAL TURMERIC

3616. Shri Sukanta Kumar Panigrahi:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण मंũी be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has taken any recent steps to promote the cultivation and export of Gl-tagged Kandhamal Turmeric, recognized for its unique quality and heritage; (b) the manner in which the Government ensures the protection of the intellectual property rights associated with the Kandhamal Turmeric and the extent to which the farmers in the region benefitting from this recognition; (c) whether the Government plans any initiatives for value addition of Kandhamal Turmeric, including  processing,  packaging  and  branding  to  enhance  its  market  presence  both domestically and internationally with training and Skilling; and (d) whether there are any plans to include Kandhamal Turmeric in Government schemes for the development of spice crops and organic farming thereby ensuring sustainable growth and profitability for farmers in the region?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण राǛ मंũी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)

(a) & (b): The Government has taken various steps to promote cultivation and export of GI (Geographical  indication)  tagged  Kandhamal  turmeric  through  Spices  Mission  of  State  of Odisha for better price realization of Kandhamal turmeric. The Agricultural and Processed Food  Products  Export  Development  Authority  (APEDA)  has  been  organizing  promotional events like buyer-seller meets to enhance the export potential of Kandhamal Turmeric. These efforts focus on accessing international markets including Europe, United States of America and Australia.

Spices  Board  is  implementing  Central  Sector  Scheme  'Sustainability  in  Spices Sector through progressive, innovative and collaborative intervention for Export Development' (SPICED) for post-harvest improvement and export promotion of spices of Odisha including Kandhamal Turmeric.

Further, ICAR-All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Spices centre at Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, Pottangi, Odisha is providing continuous training  on  organic  production  and  its  value  addition  to  GI-tagged  Kandhamal  turmeric farmers and Farmers Producer Organisations (FPOs) in this region so that farmers can also export their organic product.

The Government of Odisha ensures the protection of intellectual property rights (IPR) associated with Kandhamal Turmeric, recognized as a GI tagged product through local producers who meet the quality standards for branding of Kandhamal Turmeric.The Government  in  collaboration  with  Mission  for  integrated  Development  of  Horticulture (MIDH), Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, APEDA and Kandhamal Apex Spices Association for Marketing conducts training and awareness programs for farmers and producer groups. These initiatives educate to farmers on value and legal implications of the GI, ensuring compliance and empowerment. (c):  The  Government  has  introduced  several  initiatives  to  promote  value  addition  for Kandhamal  Turmeric  through  Common  Facility  Centres  (CFCs)  for  cleaning,  drying, powdering and packaging to maintain quality standards for export. APEDA is supporting for  infrastructure  for  food  processing  and  packaging including  state-of-the-art solutions. Export  promotion  is  done  through  branding  strategies  including  initiatives  like  IndoGerman  Agriculture  Market  Development  project  to  boost  recognition  in  international markets. Further,  APEDA  linked  programs  are  implemented  through  organizing  workshops  and training sessions on food safety, certification and export requirements. (d):  The  Ministry  of  Agriculture  &  Farmers  Welfare  through  Directorate  of  Arecanut  & Spices  Development  (DASD)  under  MIDH  is  promoting  turmeric  cultivation  including Kandhamal  turmeric using a cluster-based approach  through FPOs  for ensuring sustainable growth with organic cultivation and profitability to farmers in the region.

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