03 Jun, 2023
The world is facing the consequences of a changing climate and agriculture is one of the most vulnerable sectors. Along with this heavy usage of agrochemicals lead to degradation of soil and water quality, loss of biodiversity, and poor quality of food. Unlike other crops, the Turmeric crop is also facing similar challenges. However, Turmeric is used in both culinary and medicinal applications, making it crucial to ensure that the crop is safe for consumption. Contamination with pesticides, heavy metals, or microbial pathogens can occur if not properly managed. Heavy usage of pesticides and weedicides poses a threat to biodiversity as well as the health of farmers living in nearby areas.
Therefore, there is a need to raise awareness about the ill effects of heavy usage of pesticides as well as available alternative solutions for Sustainable Turmeric Cultivation practices to enhance the equality of the produce without compromising yield.
In line with this, the DPP GIZ-AVT McCormick project organized a sensitization workshop on Sustainable Turmeric Cultivation practices for Turmeric farmers in Chamarajanagar area. The workshop took place on 3 June 2023 in Chamarajanagar and around 50 farmers participated with great enthusiasm.
Dr Poonam Pande, Project Manager, GIZ, briefed everyone about the project followed by an icebreaking session. A group exercise was carried out to discuss current challenges and issues in Turmeric cultivation providing farmers with a broader view of the current situation. Dr. Poonam emphasized the need for sustainable agriculture practices and then Mr. R.M. Subramanian elaborated on the principles and practices of sustainable agriculture specifically related to turmeric. He also shared success stories from the Erode district of Tamil Nadu, where farmers had achieved FSA certification for their turmeric during the previous season (2022-23) through the adoption of sustainable practices. This served as a practical example of how sustainable methods could lead to improved compliance and better-quality produce. During the workshop, the farmers had the opportunity to discuss various practices related to turmeric cultivation, including sowing, weeding, vegetative mulching, preparation of formulations, Integrated Pest and Disease Management, Integrated Nutrient Management, and soil health improvement practices. This allowed them to gain a comprehensive understanding of sustainable techniques and their potential benefits for their crops, the environment, and their own health.
In addition, a lead farmer, Mr Muthu Kumar from Thalavadi shared his experience about the project and their journey towards Sustainable Agriculture through DPPP GIZ AVT McCormick. Farmers were able to learn from his first-hand experience and insights, which likely motivated them to adopt sustainable practices in their own turmeric cultivation.
Overall, the sensitization workshop served as a platform for the farmers to learn about the challenges faced in turmeric cultivation, understand the importance of sustainable agriculture, and explore practical solutions to implement in their own farming practices.
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The ‘Enhancement of Smallholder Spice Farmer’s Capacities in Sustainable Farming’ aims to strengthen the production of cardamom, cumin, and turmeric in four states of India - Kerala Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Rajasthan - to increase the capacities of spice farmers to make production practices more economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable.
The project is part of the develoPPP.de Programme implemented by GIZ on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The lead executing agency for this project is AVT McCormick. develop.PPP was set up by BMZ to involve the private sector in areas where business opportunities and development policy initiatives overlap. Read More
For more information contact: biodiv.india@giz.de
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