Turmeric Gold: Dharmapur Women Cultivate Success & Gratitude with Organic Farming
In the serene hills of Dharmapur, Mandi district, a quiet revolution is blooming—one led by resilient women turning organic turmeric into a symbol of prosperity. With the state government’s recent announcement of a ₹90/kg minimum support price (MSP) for turmeric, their fields now promise not just spice, but hope.
From Struggle to Sunshine
For generations, families like Kamlesh Kumari’s in Tanihar village relied on traditional crops, battling erratic weather and wild animals that ravaged their fields. “Monkeys destroyed our wheat and maize; farming felt futile,” she recalls. But after joining the Dharmapur Farmer Producer Organization (FPO), Kamlesh shifted to turmeric—a hardy, animal-resistant crop—transforming her three-acre plot into a thriving enterprise.
Self-Help, Shared Success
The Jai Baba Kamlahia self-help group, born from a local initiative, epitomizes collective strength. Six women, once selling homemade pickles at meager prices, now proudly market their products under the brand Pahari Ratan, thanks to FPO support. Organic turmeric, dairy farming, and value-added processing collectively earn them ₹15,000–18,000 monthly. “We dry, grind, and pack together—it’s teamwork that fuels our dreams,” beams Sarojani Devi of Shri Anna Mahila Processing Center.
A Game-Changing MSP
The government’s MSP declaration has ignited optimism. Earlier sold at ₹35/kg, turmeric now fetches nearly triple the price, empowering farmers to reclaim abandoned fields. “This isn’t just a price hike; it’s respect for our labor,” says Kamlesh, gratitude echoing across Dharmapur. With village yields hitting 20–25 quintals annually, turmeric is painting a brighter future—one rhizome at a time.
“Our hands once sowed seeds of survival; today, they harvest dignity.” — Dharmapur’s Turmeric Warriors
