Self help groups boost turmeric production in Meghalaya?A success story

Front line demonstrations (FLD) on high yielding turmeric cv. Megha Turmeric-1 were conducted at Ri-Bhoi district of Meghalaya under farmer’s participatory mode during year 2011-12. A total of eleven SHGs from nine villages involving 122 farmers were participated in demonstration covering the total area about 7.5 ha area. From the FLD,1152.29 q of fresh turmeric was produced from a 7.5 ha area with productivity of 156.31 q/ha. The attractive gross return (Rs. 234460 Rs/ha) and net returns (Rs. 141604/ha) with higher B:C ratio (2.52) were recorded by the SHGs with adoption of scientific management practices. Production of turmeric through farmer’s participatory mode with technological intervention (Megha Turmeric-1) not only increased the production of turmeric but also generated employment and developed entrepreneurship among tribal farmers.