In recent years, farmers with access to irrigation facilities have increasingly turned to turmeric cultivation. As a yearly crop, turmeric not only boosts farmers’ income but also provides seasonal employment to labourers, becoming a crucial source of economic support.

 

Earlier, turmeric cultivation was predominantly seen in districts like Sangli, Parbhani, and Hingoli in Maharashtra. Due to the lack of irrigation, other regions were unable to achieve the desired scale of turmeric farming. In Akola and Washim districts, only a handful of farmers had access to irrigation, making turmeric cultivation quite rare. However, over the past decade, there has been significant progress in irrigation infrastructure. Through government schemes, numerous farm ponds and irrigation wells have been developed, and in some areas, irrigation projects have come into operation. Additionally, turmeric has been officially classified as a spice crop.

 

Farmers who now possess reliable irrigation facilities have enthusiastically adopted turmeric cultivation. At present, Shirpur and its nearby areas host the highest number of turmeric growers in Washim district. Although turmeric is a labour-intensive and high-investment annual crop, the availability of favourable market prices ensures it remains a profitable option, offering much-needed economic stability to cultivators.

 

Moreover, the turmeric harvesting process is lengthy and provides job opportunities beyond the fields. Tractor drivers, boiler operators for turmeric boiling, labourers for cleaning and collecting the crop, all find employment during the turmeric season. This extends the period of agricultural work, from February till the end of April, thereby supporting rural employment during an otherwise idle season.

 

As a result, in Washim district, especially in Shirpur, Kata, and surrounding villages, land used for turmeric irrugation has increased substantially.