An increasing number of subsistent farmers in Cross River State are now investing interest and energy in the planting of turmeric.
The reason may stem from the high demand occasioned by regular enlightenment on arrays of benefits of the wonderful, flowering plant from the ginger family.
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Turmeric is largely used as spices in cooking.
In many homesteads, it is planted on a small scale for family use only. It does not take long before it can be harvested.
Last week, peasant farmers in Akamkpa, Calabar South, Ogoja and Boki LGAs of the state received no fewer than 5000 turmeric seedlings and financial support to boost further cultivation in small farms.
Programme Coordinator of Cooperative, Offer of Job Opportunities for Women and Children, OJO-WACNET, Ambassador Florence Carmel Kekong, said they were organising and building small local farmers by supplying them with turmeric seedlings as a way of increasing food production and at same time boost health as turmeric has lots of health benefits.
She said many farmers have already planted the seedlings they provided and are waiting to harvest them in October this year.
Kekong explained that they had to intervene with the seeds because many peasant farmers may not afford it, and of course they want to further popularize its benefits in southern Nigeria.
“The cost of living has become so high that peasants cannot afford to include spices in their meals which are mainly high in carbohydrates, thus, making meals imbalanced and unhealthy.
“We thought it wise to introduce the local farmers to spices production because of the many health benefits found therein, and considering the fact that it costs a lot of money to transport some of them from far away northern Nigeria, we made them plant their own.”
According to Amb. Kekong, a taste of turmeric a day boosts one’s overall immune system, keeps one away from infection and fights body odour.
Also speaking, an official of the cooperative, Chief Rita Effiom, took time to analyse the health benefits of the plant.
“Turmeric is indeed a life saver as it is an anti-aging agent with great potentials for curing cold, cough and catarrh, reducing risk of high blood pressure and infection, being a general body cleanser.
“The plant makes the meals richer with nutritional contents. It has sweet flavour and adds colour to meals. Another interesting fact is that turmeric can be used for decorations, to make soap and dying of clothes and bags.”
She disclosed that supports for turmeric revolution was made possible by Wemton Agricultural Development and Advisory Services (WADAS), who are leading local farmers to adopt a collective approach to give them power to bargain better for their produce and create collective wealth.
