Waigaon’s Turmeric in demand after getting GI Tag

Farmers of Maharashtra’s Waigaon have received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag for organically grown turmeric that is rich in curcumin and also known for many health benefits. The farmers are hoping to benefit from the increase in demand. ‘GI’ tag helps the farmers get a premium price and creates an export marketplace, which further leads to a gush in international demand. However, farmers who are the ultimate recipients need to register themselves as authorized users to avail the benefits.

Manoj Gaydhane, a farmer of Waigaon village in Wardha district of Maharashtra was delighted with the news and so were other villagers, as this would bring them international recognition.

Till now Waigaon was only known for the famous dargah of Baba Sheikh Farid Giradwale but now the world would know this village of 2,300- peculiar people who have been growing a unique variety of turmeric for generations. The Wardha district office records also revealed that turmeric was grown there since the Mughal times and mainly cultivated by the Mali community. But other communities like Kunbi, Teli are also growing this crop.

The Waigaon-variety turmeric is rich in curcumin content, which was originally grown in Waigaon but now is cultivated in 13 neighboring villages in Samudrapur taluk of Wardha district.  Although the normal curcumin content in turmeric by weight is 2 to 4 percent but anything above 6 percent is considered good. According to Spices Board of India, Waigaon’s turmeric curcumin content is 6.24 percent by weight.

Turmeric cultivation in Samudrapur taluk is spread over 1,300 hectares of land, with a production of about 19,500 tons. But hardly 30 percent of this comes under organic certification. Gaydhane, an agricultural subordinate with taluk told VillageSquare.in that “Increasing numbers of growers are opting organic methods, having realized the significance of soil health and also organic produce brings better price if compared to those grown with chemical fertilizers”.