Nizamabad: Farmers across north Telangana are deeply concerned about a sharp drop in turmeric prices at the Nizamabad Agriculture Market Yard — one of the country’s largest hubs for the spice. Growers from Nizamabad, Jagtial, and Nirmal districts have been bringing large volumes of turmeric to the yard, but increased arrivals have led to falling prices.
At the start of the turmeric season in January, prices touched ₹15,000 per quintal. Encouraged by those rates, farmers continued to deliver huge consignments, only to find that some traders allegedly formed a syndicate to lower prices. Neither the market committee nor officials have taken action to check these practices, farmers say.
With the peak turmeric season approaching in February and March, arrivals at the market are expected to rise even further. Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, turmeric farmer Uppera Narsaiah of Konasamundar village in Kammarpally mandal said that turmeric, which requires nine months to grow and costs approximately ₹1.2 lakh per acre, has repeatedly led to losses in recent years.
“If we get at least ₹12,000 per quintal, we would neither profit nor lose,” he explained. “Right now, the finger and bulb varieties are selling below ₹10,000, which is a major setback.”
Narsaiah added that some brokers have begun purchasing turmeric directly from villages, offering lower rates and delaying payments. He urged both state and Central governments to ensure better, more remunerative prices.
Hopes of improved rates were high following the setup of the National Turmeric Board in Nizamabad. On Thursday, Turmeric Board chairman Palle Ganga Reddy visited the Nizamabad market yard and encouraged farmers to bring fully dried turmeric for better prices, noting that traders would cooperate to offer fair rates.
Meanwhile, State Seed Corporation chairman Sunket Anvesh Reddy warned traders to stop taking advantage of farmers.
“If any trader is found to be exploiting farmers, we will take stringent action,” he said.
Farmers have also expressed concerns about frequent market closures, alleging that a few traders and officials deliberately halt business to cause inconvenience. They say these shutdowns further depress prices and delay the selling process, compounding their financial hardships.
