Is Turmeric Production a profitable business?
Turmeric botanically known as Curcuma longo belongs to the ginger family “Zingiberaceae” and is commonly referred to as the “queen of spices”. It is majorly used as an alternative to curry when cooking to help in spicing up and adding colour to food. It can be consumed fresh or in powdered form.
It grows up to a height of 1m with many branches to show. It is peppery in nature, has a good aroma, sharp taste with a yellow to orange colour. Turmeric is valued for both its medicinal and economic values.
Important uses of Turmeric
Apart from its household use as a food spice, It is an active ingredient used for cosmetic, medical, and fashion production.
Experts have also stated that turmeric helps to suppress various inflammatory molecules that cause harmful viruses owing to its anti-inflammatory component called “Currumbin”.
Furthermore, Turmeric is used as an anti-ageing agent, toning agent, and also to reduce dark spots on the face.
The increased awareness that has been created through digital/social media has evolved the popularity of turmeric beyond the shores of the Asian continent where it was originally founded.
The current pandemic also contributed to the popularity of turmeric and many other spices like ginger and garlic as people turned to these spices as a way of boosting their immune system.
Other Important uses of Turmeric are:
- It is used as a natural antiseptic, antibacterial agent and as such can be used as a disinfectant.
- It is useful for cancer prevention because it helps destroy cancerous cells.
- It relieves arthritis due to its anti-inflammatory properties and so is useful in Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis.
- It helps regulate blood sugar levels by moderating insulin levels and as such is useful for the treatment of diabetes.
Currently, the global spices market (turmeric, ginger, and garlic) is valued at $13.7 billion and Nigerians can also tap and profit off this.
Growing Turmeric In Nigeria
Turmeric can be grown in all states of the federation but currently, it is farmed in 32 states of the federation with Kaduna, Nasarawa, Benue, Niger, Gombe, Kano and, Katsina States growing the bulk of it.
The turmeric thrives in warm, humid conditions and well-drained neutral soils and the period for farming turmeric is between March and May so that it reaches maturity between December and February.
Despite the many potentials in the production of Turmeric, the country is yet to fully harness its potential.
Many farmers have cited lack of access to quality seeds as a major obstacle to growing turmeric in the country.
Due to its many benefits, if properly harnessed, the turmeric industry is bound to provide a major income boost for farmers with the potential of contributing positively to the country’s GDP.