Golden Revolution in Marathwada and Vidarbha Through Turmeric Production: CM Eknath Shinde

Mumbai : The country’s first turmeric research center is being established in Wasmat, as announced by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Aiming to meet both national and global demand for turmeric, CM Shinde emphasized the need to encourage farmers in Maharashtra to cultivate turmeric and organize production clusters. He expressed optimism that turmeric production would spearhead a golden revolution in drought-affected regions like Marathwada and Vidarbha.

Speaking at a review meeting at Sahyadri Guest House regarding the Turmeric Research Center, Chief Minister Shinde was joined by Marketing Minister Abdul Sattar, Soil and Water Conservation Minister Sanjay Rathod, President of the Turmeric Research and Training Center Balasaheb Thackeray, former MP Hemant Patil, Agriculture Department Secretary V. Radha, Pradeep Mukherjee from Bhabha Research Center, and Mamata Rupelia from the Central Spice Board Maharashtra.

The Integrated Turmeric Research and Training Center in Wasmat, Hingoli district, received a funding approval of Rs 800 crore during the meeting. The Chief Minister directed that the project be completed within three years.

Highlighting the versatile use of turmeric in daily life and medicine, CM Shinde noted the high national and international demand for the crop. Turmeric requires minimal fertilizer and water, making it a resilient cash crop suitable for areas prone to natural calamities. CM Shinde instructed that government schemes should support the center and congratulated Wasmat turmeric for achieving GI status.

The research center will provide facilities such as a tissue culture plant laboratory, a turmeric processing center, and an irradiation center for farmers. India consumes approximately 5 million tonnes of turmeric annually, with Maharashtra contributing half of this amount. Hemant Patil, President of the Turmeric Center, highlighted that this world-class project will facilitate