Nizambad TRS MP Kavitha urged the centre to grant Geographical Indication (GI) status for the turmeric grown in Nizambad district of Telangana in the interest of the farmers of the region. On Wednesday, Kavitha called on union agriculture minister Radhamohan Singh in New Delhi and presented a memorandum to this effect. Stating that Nizambad produced a unique variety of turmeric, the MP said there was need to preserve the ” Nizambad Variety” with legal protection by assigning GI status.

She also requested the central minister to include the turmeric crop in MSP scheme so that farmers could get support when the prices fell drastically.

She met the union minister to highlight the problems being faced by turmeric farmers in the district. According to Kavitha Nizamabad region accounts for around 20-25% of the country’s total turmeric production, but the district doesn’t have a single turmeric-allied industry.

She reminded the minister of the long-pending demand of the farmers of region of setting up of National Turmeric Board and turmeric park at Nizambad

She said due to slump in the turmeric market the price of turmeric had fallen to Rs 6,000 from Rs 16,000. Farmers had been thrown into distress as they were not getting remunerative price for the crop. Another reason for the farmers’ plight was the lack of support from the government. ” This is high time that the crop included in the MSP scheme,” Kavaitha said.

Responding positively to the MP’s plea, agriculture minister said he would immediately depute a team to the district to study the matter providing MSP to the turmeric farmers. The minister assured that he would convene a meeting of officials to discuss the setting up of turmeric board at Nizambad. Similarly Sigh agreed to set up nuclear seed production centre at Jagtyal in Karimnagar district.