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Drones were tasked with carrying turmeric from Lakadong
UAVs or drones have been utilised for the first time to deliver high-quality Lakadong turmeric in West Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya. Under the One District, One Product (ODOP) initiative of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Lakadong turmeric has been designated as a product with potential for growth and export for West Jaintia Hills.
For payload distribution, drone/UAV technology was deployed, and it can serve as a model for resolving 1st-mile connectivity concerns for Lakadong Turmeric producers in the hinterland. Drone technology was used to connect more than 500 farmers from four communities to the market.
Lakadong Turmeric
The curcumin concentration of Lakadong turmeric, one of the best turmeric kinds in the world, is 7-9 percent (in comparison to 3 percent or less in other varieties). The state of Meghalaya has sought for a Geographical Indication (GI) designation for Lakadong turmeric, which is native to the West Jaintia Hills.
Advantages of using drones
Turmeric's demand and price are determined by the amount of curcumin and oleoresin it contains. Due to its export and internal market potential, Lakadong turmeric has the ability to transform the district's economy. Despite its high curcumin content and potential for local and international sales, Lakadong turmeric suffers severe market access challenges due to its distant position, topography, and terrain.
The product's prospects are hampered by additional transportation expenses and timing delays. As a result, the flyoff event will not only give the ODOP programme a boost, but it will also use modern technologies to address transportation difficulties.
Furthermore, as part of 'Lakadong Turmeric 2.0,' the government is making additional efforts to scale up procurements in order to ensure long-term sales for the 2022 harvest season and beyond.
It is also a step toward employing innovation for solutions and tackling connectivity concerns, in addition to using technology to help farmers increase their income.
India's Turmeric Production
India is the world's greatest turmeric grower and exporter (APEDA, 2019). In 2018, our country exported US$ 236.5 million of turmeric, up from US$ 182.53 million in 2017. In terms of output, India, on the other hand, produces 78 percent of the world's turmeric. Turmeric production reached 389 thousand tonnes in 2018-19.
Telangana, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Orissa, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Haryana, and Assam were the top ten turmeric-growing states in 2017-18.
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