Berhampur: Turmeric growers of Kandhamal district, who suffered a huge loss for
the past two years due to Covid-19, have demanded the procurement price of their
produce to be increased from Rs 60 per kg to Rs 100.
Thousands of growers had hoped to make a profit after the district’s organic
turmeric received the geographical indication (GI) tag in 2019. However, the
farmers’ dream shattered after the pandemic hit. At present, the Kandhamal Apex
Spices Association for Marketing (KASAM), a government-backed cooperative
agency, is procuring the turmeric at Rs 60 per kg. The procurement price has not
been revised in the past five years.