‘Yellow revolution’: Former Maoist bastion in Chhattisgarh’s Dhamtari to emerge as turmeric hub

Raipur, Jun 27 (PTI) The tribal-dominated Nagri area in Chhattisgarh’s Dhamtari district, where red terror once reigned, is set to emerge as a turmeric hub as part of the state government’s crop diversification initiative aimed at boosting farmers’ incomes, officials said on Saturday. A total of 250 farmers from Nagri and Magarlod development blocks have planted 10 tonnes of high-quality turmeric rhizomes (underground plant stems) and have been targeting an output of 250 tonnes of the cash crop in the coming season, a government statement said. The initiative seeks to promote scientific cultivation of turmeric under the state’s agricultural diversification programme while ensuring sustainable income growth for farmers in forested and tribal regions, it said. Unlike conventional farming schemes, the project focuses on building a complete value chain encompassing production, processing, branding and marketing, the release said. The programme has been implemented under the guidance of Dhamtari Collector Abinash Mishra through a joint effort of the zila panchayat, Nagri janpad panchayat and non-profit PRADAN, it said. Farmers have been provided improved-quality planting material through the Gattasilli Farmer Producer Company (FPC). Instead of selling raw turmeric at low prices, the produce will be taken to a modern turmeric processing unit established by the zila panchayat at Korremuda village, it said. The Haribhumi Farmer Producer Organisation, an association of farmers, will manufacture turmeric powder and other value-added products, while Gattasilli FPC will market the products directly, eliminating middlemen and enabling farmers to earn better returns, the statement said. As part of the project, a one-day technical training programme was organised at Korremuda village. Experts trained participants in soil improvement, selection of disease-free rhizomes, seed treatment and balanced nutrient management, it said. Agriculture volunteers will provide technical guidance to farmers throughout the nearly 270-day crop cycle to ensure quality production meeting market standards, it said. A large part of the Nagri block comprises rocky uplands where paddy cultivation is relatively less remunerative but is well suited for cash crops such as turmeric, it said. The initiative is expected to improve utilisation of such land, create local employment opportunities and transform the region into a major centre for turmeric production in the coming years, it added. Nagri area shares a border with the Kanker district of Bastar region, once a stronghold of Maoists, and the Nabarangpur district in neighbouring Odisha. PTI TKP NR