Production of Turmeric in North East Hill Region of India: A Value Chain Analysis

The paper demonstrates the economics of turmeric in the in North Eastern Hill region by focusing on the states, viz., Mizoram, Meghalaya, Manipur and Sikkim through value chain analysis approach. The cost of cultivation analysis has shown that the turmeric crop is economically beneficial across the states and it has been more beneficial in the state of Sikkim as the product in Sikkim has been certified as organic. The factor share as well as cost and returns analysis both have attracted the scientists; policy makers for both pre- and post-harvest interventions. The pre-harvest arrangements include rhizome storage, developing small machinery to reduce drudgery as most of the work have been performed manually in turmeric farms in the region. The mapping of value chain actors and value addition analysis has shown that the processed (powder) and semi-processed (slice/flakes) of turmeric earned good returns, although the powder turmeric was made and sold by a few number of turmeric growers across the states. Making powder as well as slices was not possible for all the turmeric growers as it needs slicer, dryers, grinders and packaging machine and all these are not affordable by the turmeric growers of the region. Therefore, establishment of slice/flakes maker, dryers, grinder, storage for rhizome and packing machines are the need of the hour in the region to enhance their due share in the consumers' price of turmeric and its by-products.