Turmeric auctions fetch good prices
Farmers are receiving Rs 3,550-3,700 a quintal for the crop at present.
Enthused by the present profitable prices, farmers have already increased turmeric hectarage for 2009 by 15 per cent. Though there was an acute shortage of labour and seeds were available at a higher price of Rs 1,200 a quintal, compared with Rs 800-900 a quintal last year, they managed to almost complete sowing by July 15.
The final estimation may further increase the hectarge to 20 per cent. Last year, the frustrated farmers, hit by the price crash, had decreased sowings by over 25 per cent.
In Andhra Pradesh, turmeric now stands at Rs 3,800-3,900 a quintal at Warangal, Rs 4,100-4,200 at Nizamabad, and Rs 3,500-3,600 at Kadapa. It is Rs 4,200-4,400 at Erode in Tamil Nadu and Rs 4,500-4,900 in Maharashtra. Rajapuri turmeric in Maharashtra is attracting the maximum price of Rs 5,000 a quintal.
According to J Krishna Rao, a farmer and exporter, growers are disposing of last year's turmeric also. Duggirala crop is paid the least as its quality, when compared with those harvested in other parts of the state, is poor.
He said the exports prospects were also bright this year due to good orders from the Middle East and Bangladesh. The stocks in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Punjab and Assam are reportedly inadequate. Andhra farmers expect the market rates to increase, due to this shortage, to Rs 4,500 a quintal at Duggirala and to Rs 5,000 a quintal at other places in the state in September.
The unsold crop has been put at 2 million bags