NIZAMABAD: While turmeric is no longer one of India’s best-kept secrets, with people around the world recognizing its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, among others, a women-led self-help group (SHG) from Gummiryal village in Ergatla Mandal of the district, known for the production of turmeric, has taken a step further in realizing the potential of the saffron plant and spreading its benefits.
By extracting oil from the plant’s leaves, these women want to ensure that turmeric has another use case and motivate others to start a similar organization. A staple crop in the district, hordes of turmeric plants are destroyed or burnt by farmers after the harvest season, leading to air pollution in the process. However, local farmers realized that the leaves of turmeric plants had tremendous potential and approached the CSIR-CIMAP Research Center in Boduppal, Hyderabad.
Scientists at the research station have confirmed that turmeric leaves contain essential oils that can be used in medicines, cosmetics and other products. This oil is in high demand, both locally and internationally, market experts say.
Ten women from SHG Manikanta decided to establish a saffron oil factory in their village. They approached the ICICI Foundation. With her support of Rs 12.5 lakh along with Rs 2.5 lakh invested by SHG members, they have set up the diesel unit.
The distillery works with steam to separate water and oil, which will be sold on the market. In an initial experiment, they used a tonne of leaves to produce 8 to 9 liters of essential oil, which they sell at a rate of Rs 600 per litre. Soma Raja Reddy was appointed as the coordinator to promote the initiative and market the product.
Numerous health benefits
Highlighting the environmental benefits of the initiative, Soma tells TNIE that traditionally, after harvesting, farmers burn turmeric leaves, causing damage to the environment. By extracting essential oil from the leaves, SHG aims to avoid this harm and instead sell it to pharmaceutical and cosmetic companies as well as organic medicine manufacturers. This represents a new economic opportunity for rural areas, he adds.
Soma says that from the next season, preparations will begin for the production of large quantities of essential oil of turmeric and they will also decide on the prices for the market. He adds that they can easily earn `1.50 lakh per month after deducting all expenses.
Moreover, some turmeric farmers in the district are hopeful of creating more value-added product units following the announcement of the National Turmeric Board by the Union government.
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