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Turmeric Farming Expands in Chandrapur and Gadchiroli

Turmeric Farming Expands in Chandrapur and Gadchiroli
Turmeric Farming Expands in Chandrapur and Gadchiroli

For years, Chandrapur and Gadchiroli in Maharashtra’s eastern Vidarbha were known mainly for rice, cotton and chilli farming. Now turmeric, a spice long grown in small patches, is attracting new attention.


Farmers cite rising health-food demand and strong prices for the golden rhizome. The agriculture department notes that Gadchiroli’s soil and climate are nourishing for turmeric cultivation, with very low water needs, and that the spice fetches good prices. Even Chandrapur, traditionally called the state’s “rice bowl”, now ships steady turmeric harvests to local markets.


Cultivation and production


Turmeric plants growing in a field in Maharashtra show how farmers in Vidarbha are adding this spice to their crop mix.


The yellow rhizomes of turmeric are typically planted with the summer monsoon and harvested about nine months later.


In both Gadchiroli and Chandrapur, soils are generally suitable, with officials stating that the districts’ lands can support spice crops even with little irrigation.

Historical data note that chilli and turmeric have been grown here as condiments. Today, Chandrapur is officially listed among Maharashtra’s major turmeric-producing districts, though most fields are still modest in size. For context, the nearby Washim district (also in Vidarbha) now leads the state with over 10,000 hectares of turmeric under cultivation, showing the potential scale of the crop in this region.


Turmeric plants require warm, humid weather through their growing season. Farmers typically sell the mature rhizomes in dried form to traders, who then grind them into powder. Local wholesale markets in Chandrapur report a steady flow of such dried turmeric as soon as harvest begins.


State statistics for 2023–24 show Maharashtra with about 90,000 hectares under turmeric and a production of roughly 330,000 tonnes, by far the largest share nationally. Chandrapur and Gadchiroli contribute a small fraction of this total, but their share is growing.


India dominates world turmeric output and trade, with nearly 80 percent of global production and over 60 percent of exports, so even modest increases in these districts add to the broader crop supply.


Farming communities and practices


A turmeric farm in Maharashtra illustrates how farmers in Gadchiroli and Chandrapur are experimenting with this cash crop alongside their staple grains.


Extension workers report that some smallholders in Gadchiroli are now planting turmeric for the market rather than just for home use.

The crop fits well with existing systems, like rice or cotton. Turmeric is a kharif crop, but requires little extra irrigation. Efforts are underway to introduce improved varieties.


For instance, a short-duration “Waigaon” variety – traditionally from Wardha and Chandrapur- has been tested in nearby Washim to cope with late-season dryness, indicating research support for Vidarbha farmers.


Farmers organise in different ways. Some district plans and NABARD projects have identified turmeric in Gadchiroli, such as a proposed cultivation programme for the Armori block, reflecting government interest.


In Chandrapur, a local farm producers’ company (though initially focused on paddy) has fostered links with markets and provides inputs, suggesting a model for spices too. Adoption is cautious, however. Studies find that many turmeric growers keep it as a secondary crop, since about 80 percent report earning less than half of their income from turmeric alone.


In other words, farmers in these districts generally cultivate multiple crops, paddy, cotton, pulses and turmeric among them, rather than relying solely on one spice.

Some growers still plant turmeric only for household use.


But with processing and market access improving, officials hope more farmers will shift part of their land to this high-value spice, given its low pest risk and steady demand.


Market outlook and opportunities


Turmeric prices have risen sharply in recent years, boosting farmer interest. In Maharashtra’s Hingoli market, for example, the wholesale price of a popular variety climbed from around ₹7,000 per quintal in 2020–21 to over ₹13,000 by 2022–23.


Such gains reflect strong local and international demand. On the export side, Bangladesh and the UAE were India’s top buyers, importing 37,600 and 17,300 tonnes respectively in 2023–24. National policy is also supportive: a newly launched National Turmeric Board aims to double India’s production to two million tonnes in five years, which would involve expansion in places like Vidarbha.


Still, challenges remain. An industry report cautions that many Indian farmers cut back on turmeric in recent seasons after price crashes and infrastructure gaps.

In Chandrapur and Gadchiroli, the situation is mixed. Local dealers say turmeric commands good prices when sold. But with farming incomes also dependent on rice and oilseeds, spice prices can be volatile. Even so, the long-term indicators are positive. India is expected to sustain its role as the world’s leading producer of turmeric, and these Vidarbha districts sit on the fringe of that market.


As farmers here learn new techniques and coordinate through cooperatives, turmeric offers a promising addition to the region’s agricultural portfolio.


In the coming seasons, the turmeric fields of Chandrapur and Gadchiroli will be closely watched. Observers note that when farmers diversify into a new high-value crop, it can reshape local economies.


For now, the golden-hued harvest represents a cautious bet by Vidarbha’s rural community, and one that looks set to grow if market trends hold firm.


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