Why in news? Government of India notifies constitution of National Turmeric Board in Telangana

Highlights:

• The board will be constituted under Ministry of Commerce and Industry
• It will focus on the development and growth of turmeric and turmeric products in the country.

Board Constitution

• Board will have a Chairperson, appointed by the Centre.
• It will have members from the Ministry of AYUSH, Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Commerce & Industry and senior State government representatives from the three states on a rotational basis.
• Selected national/State institutions involved in research, representatives of turmeric farmers and exporters will also be members of the Board.
• A secretary will be appointed to the Board by the Commerce Ministry.

About Turmeric

• It is a flowering plant in the ginger family with Perennial, rhizomatous(plant stem that sends out roots and shoots from its nodes), herbaceous plant
• Leading producer: Maharashtra,Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil nadu
• Turmeric powder has a warm, bitter, black pepper-like flavour and earthy, mustard-like aroma.
• It is a flavouring agent in many Asian cuisines, especially for curries, as well as for the dyeing characteristics

Climate and soil:

• It grows in diverse tropical conditions from sea level to 1500 m above sea level
• Turmeric is native to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia
• Temperature: 20-35 C
• Annual rainfall: 1500 mm or more under rain fed or irrigated conditions.
• Soil : Well-drained sandy or clay loam soils