Economic Viability of Turmeric Cultivation in North-Eastern Transitional Zone of Karnataka

Turmeric is very important spice crop of India, which produces nearly the whole world’s crop and uses 80 per cent of it. Turmeric, the source of cucurmin extremely well tolerated and has been used on daily basis by many Asian cultures. Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is commercially cultivated and is one of the profitable crops of any region. Turmeric is being cultivated in Hyderabad-Karnataka region in an area of 767 ha with production of 2393 tonnes. In Hyderabad-Karnataka region, Kalaburagi stands first in production followed by Bidar district and its cultivation is almost observed in North Eastern Transitional Zone and hence the study was conducted in North Eastern transitional zone of Karnataka. The data were collected from 60 turmeric growers of three taluks of North Eastern Transitional Zone viz., Aland, Bidar and Chincholi taluks for the agricultural year 2017-18. Turmeric cultivation is being considered as annual crop provides an employment opportunity to carry out various cultural and post harvest operations. The total cost of cultivation of turmeric worked out to be Rs. 74,200.43 per acre. The average yield realized by the farmers in the study area was 18.72 quintal per acre. On an average, the gross and net returns of turmeric cultivation was worked out to be Rs. 1,22,460.06 and Rs.48,259.59 respectively. The returns per rupee spent was worked out to be Rs.1.65. The higher net returns and returns per rupee spent indicated the economic viability of turmeric cultivation in the North-Eastern Transitional Zone of Karnataka.