Turmeric cultivation expands in Burhanpur as banana farmers diversify

Farmers in Burhanpur district are shifting some land from banana to turmeric after repeated weather-related losses in banana cultivation. The area under turmeric reportedly rose from about 1,800 hectares last year to around 2,200 hectares this year, an increase of about 22%.

Turmeric takes seven to nine months to grow. Farmers can sell it fresh or dried, and traders now buy much of the crop in Burhanpur, reducing transport costs to the turmeric auction market in Sangli, Maharashtra. The district horticulture department provides subsidies of ₹50,000 per hectare for general-category farmers and ₹70,000 per hectare for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe farmers. It expects the turmeric area to reach 3,000–4,000 hectares in coming years.

Notable Points

• Sangli’s turmeric auction: Sangli’s Turmeric Wayade Bazar auction system began in 1910. It is a historical market arrangement in Sangli, Maharashtra.
• Rajapuri turmeric: Rajapuri is a turmeric variety originating in Sangli district. Sangli turmeric became known as Rajapuri turmeric in association with exports through Rajapur harbour.