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CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), Mysore, has developed a cost and time-saving technology for processing turmeric.
The new process could have a large impact on the country's Rs 9,000 crore turmeric powder industry as it helps produce better quality and increases yield and reduces microbial infestation and colour loss due to exposure to sunlight. The process can also be mechanised to yield larger output than the traditional process.
Traditionally, each tonne of turmeric is processed at a huge cost (approximately Rs 30,000-45,000) and labour. Workers toil facing fire and in hot sun for at least one month to get dried turmeric rhizomes which are then milled to get turmeric powder.
In the process, the produce suffers loss due to microbial contamination and loss of colour besides market fluctuations.
In the conventional method of processing raw turmeric tubers for improving their appearance and colour, they are first boiled in cow dung extract and subsequently treated with an emulsion made of castor seed paste, alum and Chemichrome (a brand of lead chromate). The first treatment is neither hygienic nor aesthetic, and the latter contaminates the tubers with lead which is a cumulative poison.
As a result of CFTRI studies, a method has been worked out in which neither cow dung nor lead chromate is used.
While processing by traditional way costs about Rs 45 per kg., it will come down to Rs 25 per kg in CFTRI processing. The colour value (curcumin content) of traditionally processed turmeric is 2 per cent to 3.5 per cent, while it will be 4 per cent to 5 per cent in the new process. The powder yield will go up to 22-25 per cent from 18-20 per cent.
It also saves time, from about a month to about two days from harvest to being powdered, besides saving
on fuel used for boiling rhizomes. As a result, farmers get higher returns on their investment due to higher yield and greater colour value.
As part of its technology reachout effort under the CSIR-800 initiative, CFTRI has now embarked on taking its technologies to those who need them. A few months ago an effort to help the turmeric farmers in Chamarajanagar district was initiated.
After educating them on the advantages of its processing vis-à-vis selling the produce as such, the CFTRI will demonstrate the patented, novel turmeric processing technology on February 21 to farmers identified by Nabard. Nabard, Horticulture Department and Integrated Child Development Scheme officials will interact with farmers.
Production of virgin coconut oil from coconut and Amylase-rich energy food are also being demonstrated, said A S K V S Sharma, Senior Principal Scientist, Information and Publicity today.
India is the largest producer and exporter of turmeric in the world and Indian turmeric yields maximum amount of curcumin, the yellow colouring pigment. Over 5,000 units processing turmeric by traditional methods operate in India and less than 10 per cent of turmeric produced is exported.
