Mr. Madhav Gholkar will present his APS as per the detail below:
Date: 26th September 2023
Time: 1515 - 1615 hrs.
Venue: CTARA Conference Room No. 2
Topic: Assessment of Agro-Meteorological Extremes, their Impacts and Potential Adaptation Strategies for Turmeric Farming in Maharashtra, India
Guide: Prof. Parmeshwar D. Udmale
RPC Members: Prof. Bakul Rao, Prof. Aditi Chaubal, Dr. Nitin Kumbhar
Abstract:
Turmeric has a diverse range of vital applications, spanning across industries like food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and textiles. Post-COVID-19 pandemic, turmeric has emerged as one of the rapidly expanding dietary supplements. Worldwide, it is one of the natural medicinal herbs that offers a broad spectrum of pharmacological functions that encompass antioxidant, antimicrobial, antimalarial, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and anti-aging properties. Increased consumer awareness has led to a rising demand for turmeric in the global market, and it is expected to grow at a rate of 6.4% annually during 2022 to 2032. For centuries, India has held the primary position as the world's leading producer, consumer, and exporter of turmeric. India produces about 78% of the world's total turmeric production and contributes more than 60% of the global turmeric export every year. Traditionally, Andhra Pradesh (including Telangana), Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Odisha were the main turmeric-producing states while from 2017-18 onwards, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh have emerged as prominent contributors to the national turmeric production. In the year 2021-22, Maharashtra alone represents about 25% of the total turmeric cultivation area in the country but on the quandary, the state ranks 10th in terms of turmeric productivity. Climate change, extreme weather patterns, significant shifts in the monsoon, droughts, prolonged dry spells, flash floods, rising day and night temperatures, reduced soil moisture, and water stress ultimately affect both the quantity and quality of turmeric production. In addition, turmeric, being a nutrient-intensive crop, demands substantial fertilization to achieve higher yields, which, in turn, has implications for soil health and soil productivity. Faulty agricultural practices, aggravating agro-meteorological extremes and lower crop yield in the state have called for timely actions to switch to more sustainable methods of production, optimize the resources utilization, and adapt to agro-meteorological extremes. Thus, the proposed study aims to assess the agro-meteorological extremes and their impacts on turmeric cropping and devise potential adaptation strategies for sustainable and productive turmeric farming in Maharashtra.