(a) whether there had been a sharp fall in the price of turmeric during the last
three years and the current year;
(b) if so, the details thereof alongwith the reasons therefor;
(c) whether the Government is aware that turmeric farmers are not even getting
the production cost of turmeric; and
(d) if so, the remedial steps taken by the Government to help the turmeric
farmers?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD
PROCESSING INDUSTRIES AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI HARISH RAWAT)
(a) to (d): As per the whole price index data, the prices of turmeric in March for
the years 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 was Rs.112.3, Rs.309.8, Rs.360.3 and
Rs.157.4 respectively. The prices of agriculture produces, including turmeric
depends on various factors like production, demand, consumer preferences and
purchasing power, international prices etc. In order to provide minimum
guaranteed price to the farmers, a Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) is
implemented when the prices tends to fall below the cost of production. The MIS is
implemented for those agricultural and horticultural commodities which are
generally perishables in nature and not covered under Price Support Scheme. The
objective of MIS is to ensure that farmers are not forced to make distress sale of
their produce. During the current crop season, on the request of Government of
Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, the Government has sanctioned Market
Intervention Scheme (MIS) for procurement of turmeric in their States.