Turmeric is synonymous with Jaintia Hills region of Meghalaya and it is home to one of the finest turmeric varieties in the world – the famous “Lakadong” variety. With a curcumin content of more than 7% (almost 2% higher than other varieties), chemical free, the turmeric from the region is much sought after for use in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical and food industry.
Recently this variety obtained the Geographical Tag (GI). The Lakadong turmeric is unique in the world with the potential to change the lives of countless farmers if its uniqueness is properly exploited. There is an established demand for this variety and buyers who are willing to pay a premium for its quality. However, the variety and the name is being threatened by other producers from other areas who have latched onto the name to sell sub-standard or even adulterated turmeric, thereby confusing the market and lending a bad name to the variety and to the original areas from where it is produced.
Despite the good demand, farmers have not, till date, been able to realise the full economic potential of this crop primarily because of the preponderance of small and marginal farmers, absence of focused research, low individual volumes exacerbated by lack of organised aggregation, weak post-harvest management and market facilities, lack of universal access to information, skills and technology, unreliable price discovery, dominance of middle men, trader cartelisation, weak extension, lack of assured irrigation, access to finance and most importantly, insufficient planting material in Lakadong.
The Jaintia Hills region consisting of the two districts of East and West Jaintia Hills produces at least three varieties of turmeric – Lakadong, Laskein and Ladaw, each having their separate identity. As per data available with the Directorate of Horticulture, the cultivation of turmeric (Lakadong variety) is concentrated in the Nongbah-Shangpung belt of West Jaintia Hills district with around 1000 cultivators of the crop spread over 2577 hectares and covering villages like Shangpung, Raliang, Sahsniang, Lakadong, Nongryngkoh, Mootyrchiah, Khliehrangnah, Thadmuthlong, Pasyih, Mukhap, Mowkaiaw, Nongkynrih, Kyrwen, Mulieh, Ynniawkmai, Sahsniang, Iongkasaro, Umsalait, Mooshrot, Saphai, Iooksi, Priang, Nongryngkoh, Biar, Rtiang, Psiar, Kyndongtuber, Pammanik, Samatan, Shilliangmyntang, Thangrain, Barato, Saba, Sookhlieh, Thadbamon, Khliehsniriang, Lummuriap, Musiaw, Umsalang, Latymphu, Moobandu, Umshangiar and Umplu.
The Lakadong variety has about 7.4% curcumin content and has very good commercial value in the market. The volatile oil content in dry turmeric varies between 3.6% to 4.8%. The district is known for the production of high quality turmeric with curcumin content of 7.5 per cent.
Though the crop is grown in an extent of 1928 hectares, Jaintia Hills accounts for 58.0 % and West Garo Hills for 20.2 % of the total area due to favourable soil and climate. Each of the other five districts has about 4 per cent of the area. The State produces around 16 thousand MT of turmeric, of which 72 per cent is contributed by Khasi- Jaintia Hills and 28 per cent by Garo Hills. Production grew at an annual rate of 2.47 per cent and area at 3.14 per cent per annum, indicating that yield may have marginally declined.
Geographical Indication (GI tag)
In view of the emerging demand from the markets and their willingness to pay a premium for authentic, certified quality products, it has become an imperative that the GI of Lakadong be registered to leverage on the USP of Lakadong turmeric and its curcumin content for the benefit of the farmers by creating a brand and a premium market for it. Besides ensuring the protection of the IPR of the producing communities, GI registration is a marketing tool aimed at benefiting the producers of Lakadong by taking advantage of its unique characteristics imparted to it due to its specific geographical location, soil and climatic conditions to realise better prices.
It is anticipated that registration of the GI of Lakadong will lead to better market reach and niche placement as well as positive brand recall. However, the benefits of GI registration will not actually be felt nor realised if the communities producing are not able to make use of the GI. In this regard it is important that the farming community is made aware of their rights under the GI Act and the benefits and advantages of GI through a series of sustained awareness campaigns, FGDs and trainings.
The project of the MIE proposes to work together with cooperatives / societies / SHGs / FIGs / individual farmers etc, so that they are able to take on the responsibilities of authorised users. It is also important that the registered proprietor be a lawful entity that represents the best interest of the producing communities and there is none more suitable than the Directorate of Horticulture, Govt. of Meghalaya which can initiate the process of GI registration along with the farmer stakeholders/growers representing the West Jaintia Hills region of the state.
The journey towards obtaining the GI for Lakadong began four years ago in October 2019. Under the directions and guidance of the Chairman of the Meghalaya Farmers (Empowerment) Commission, Shri K.N. Kumar, IAS & Shri P. Sampath Kumar, IAS, then Commissioner & Secretary, Agriculture, a committee under the Chairpersonship of Smt. M.N. Nampui, IAS, then Secretary of Agriculture was constituted by the Meghalaya Institute of Entrepreneurship (MIE) under the leadership of Shri. B.K. Sohliya, MAS, then Director of MIE, to select and empanel IPR firms for the purpose of application for the GI of Lakadong.
The Commission acknowledged the combined efforts and active support of both the Directorates of Horticulture and Agriculture, the District Horticulture Officers of East and West Jaintia Hills, farmer representatives and the steadfast dedication of Shri. Demandson Lyngdoh, MAS, Project Officer of Mission Lakadong, which has culminated in this award.
In addition, the Commission also expresses its appreciation to the following organisations and people who have made this award possible.
1.Lakadong farmers and SHG groups of East and West Jaintia Hills.
2. Smt. Trinity Saio, Padma Shree, West Jaintia Hills.
3. The Directors of Horticulture, past and present
4. Scientist of the Horticulture Division, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region.
5. Shri. Bhanu Pratap Singh, Executive Director, NE Farm Sales Promotion, Guwahati.
Snapshot of Turmeric in India
- Largest producer, consumer, and exporter of spices in the world; it produces 75% of the world’s Spices (Foretell Business Solutions 2017)
- India is also the top producer of turmeric (Cucurma longa), contributing about 78% of the world’s production (Viraja etal. 2018)
- Leading turmeric producers in India were Telangana (294 Metric Tonnes) and Maharashtra (224 Metric Tonnes)
- The leading turmeric producers in the North-East were Assam (16.75 MT), Mizoram (27.82 MT), and Meghalaya (15.86 MT).
Opportunities in Turmeric Value Chain (Prices as in 2021)
Turmeric Rhizome Fresh Cost = 17/- per Kg
Turmeric Rhizome Dried = 79/- per Kg
Turmeric Slice = 79/- Per Kg
Curcumin Price per Kg = Rs. 2400 -2500
14 Kg Turmeric required to produce 1 kg curcumin (Assuming 7 % Curcumin content)
Mission Lakadong Turmeric
- Launched in the year 2018
- 2500 Metric Tonnes of Quality planting materials were supplied to farmers
- 1413 Hectares additional area brought under lakadong turmeric
- 15 Collective Marketing Centres (CMC) established
- From 1132 Ha in 2018-19 to 2238 Ha in 2021-22 ( 68% growth)
- From 2000 Farmers in 2018-19 to 12,998 farmers in 2021-22
Read More: Ing Makhir: Meghalaya’s rhizome treasure
