Sri Lanka to be self sufficient in Turmeric by 2023

 By Yohan Perera

Sri Lanka which aims to be self-sufficient in turmeric by 2023 is well on the way to achieve this target as it is expected that the total crop will be 25,000 metric tons from the 2020 cultivation, Director Development Department of Agriculture Upul Ranaweera said yesterday.

Mr. Ranaweera said the expected total crop from the cultivation in 2020 is expected to be 25,000 metric tons compared to 9500 metric tons in 2019. “The harvest is due in January this year,” he said.

“Turmeric was newly planted in 1500 hectares in 2020 compared to 923 hectares in 2019. The crop was planted around the country while giving priority to the Kandy, Ampara, Kegalle, Gampaha, Kurunegala and Nuwara Eliya Districts,” he added.

“Sri Lanka’s annual requirement of dried Turmeric is 7500 metric tons therefore Sri Lanka has no option but to import the excess amount.   Accordingly 5288 metric tons of turmeric was imported in 2019 at a cost of Rs. 1142 million. Around 90 percent of turmeric is imported from India while a nominal amount is being imported from Myanmar, and China. 

At the same time Sri Lanka exports turmeric to countries such as Canada, Australia and Germany. Sri Lanka has therefore exported 116 metric tons to those countries in 2019 and has earned export revenue of Rs 104 million. Importation of 16 crops including turmeric was curtailed in 2019 December. Accordingly a programme to make Sri Lanka self-sufficient in turmeric was launched,” Mr. Ranaweera said.

• Turmeric was newly planted in 1500 hectares in 2020 compared to 923 hectares in 2019. The crop was planted around the country while giving priority to the Kandy, Ampara, Kegalle, Gampaha, Kurunegala and Nuwara Eliya Districts