May 2020, South Asia

More than 40,000 turmeric farmers in Odisha’s Kandhamal district are suffering huge losses from the economic downturn wrought by the nationwide lockdown to curb the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

Kandhamal is known for its indigenous variety of turmeric or haldi — a spice that holds an important place in Indian kitchens because of its strong aroma and healing properties as well.

Subash Pradhan of Phiringia village in the tribal-dominated district cultivated turmeric on her half-acre land six months back. She hoped to earn good money from the crop this harvest season, as she usually supplies her produce to local businessmen. The lockdown, however, has dashed her hopes to earn money from the crop.

The lockdown has made it tough for turmeric farmers to recoup the cost of cultivation, said Sambhari Digal, a resident of Raikia village, who also grows turmeric.

“COVID-19 is disastrous for haldi farmers and businessmen of the region,” she said, adding that she along with the rest of the farmers would earlier supply turmeric to Cuttack, Bhubaneswar and several other towns and cities across the state.