THRISSUR: "We are ready to work, sir... We'll get good money by drying and grinding turmeric into powder," says Kavitha, a confident farmer cultivating Kasturi turmeric on the slopes of Attappadi. For the Irula tribal women of Attappadi, who traditionally cultivated crops like cardamom, coffee, ginger, and regular turmeric, Kasturi turmeric farming has brought significant relief. The market price of Kasturi turmeric powder can go up to Rs 3,000 per kilogram. Freshly harvested turmeric fetches around Rs 140 per kilogram, but when dried in a dryer and ground into powder, the price rises to approximately Rs 2,000 per kilogram.

Compared to growing cardamom, coffee, or ginger, Kasturi turmeric is more profitable. Wild boars, elephants, and peacocks do not destroy crops, and maintenance costs are lower. Even the powdered form of the premium "Pratibha" variety of regular turmeric, used in cooking, is priced at Rs 700 per kilogram.

Turmeric’s strong aroma acts as a shield
The strong aroma of both Kasturi turmeric and regular turmeric is intolerable to wild boars and other animals, preventing them from damaging the crops. The crop also requires minimal water. If planted in May, it can be harvested within ten months. The weeds need to be removed periodically. One kilogram of dried turmeric powder is obtained from six kilograms of raw turmeric. The Irula women have started cultivation in the Kavanmedu and Vayaloor areas under Sholayur Panchayat.

Geetha to provide dryers
Geetha Saleesh is an inspiring woman who emerged as a successful entrepreneur despite losing her eyesight at the age of 13. The turmeric harvested from Attappadi is processed at her turmeric product manufacturing unit. To help the Adivasi women earn better profits, Geetha is now working towards providing them with dryers. She initially began cultivating Pratibha, a variety of turmeric with high curcumin content, developed at the Indian Institute of Spices Research in Kozhikode. Her curcumin-based product, Curcumeal, had gained significant attention.

Cultivated area: 4 acres
Average yield: 6,000 kg
Women involved: Around 20, divided into four groups
Seed Supply: Through Kudumbashree