Turmeric Guru  Manik De

On getting involved in the turmeric project I began to search persons growing the crop commercially.  I sent my scholars working in Bankura & Purulia  to feed back.  I also made contacts with my known circle to brief me any  information on it.  However, I got scanty information.  One information I collected was of Rabi  Khaowas of Ghoramuli in Chhatna block. He cultivates  turmeric on one or two bighas of land. Another news came from G.Ghati that a farmer  staying near Amarkannan also grows turmeric as a field crop. Similarly, news reached that farmers of Kalimati have been growing it on waste lands etc. Finally I received a thundering news that Sri Manik De of Mankanali is in real sense a turmeric producer cum manufacturer. I  met those persons and places  to  make myself acquainted  with the subject.

Of all the turmeric- leaders I rank Maniklal atop. A middle aged energetic cultivator knows nothing other than turmeric. Turmeric is his livelihood. He is a marginalized  farmer owning   only two or three bighas land. He devotes entire land to Turmeric. In addition he takes lease-lands of about 5 bighs from the neighbor. Those lands are not suitable for rice or vegetables to the owners. Thus all total  De operates 8 Bighas of land. Reaching his premises I found his home as a turmeric manufacturing unit run by family members. His wife ,children are employed in turmeric- home business. Part of his house is used as storage and the open space is being used for drying of turmeric. Turmeric has become his family business for more than one decade.  De has  wide reputation for his quality turmeric powder. He does not face any market depression for his product. There has always  been a high demand for his product.

 Sooner ,Manik   De became our Turmeric ambassador.  I brought him to our turmeric sessions. I found that farmers are more interested to know more from Sri De rather than from me.  His presence boosted many farmers to join in our turmeric mission.

Once I arranged  a felicitation program where Dr Sukumar Hansda,the then MIC,Paschimanchal Unnayan affairs honoured him  at Krishi Bigyan Kendra, Seva Bharati, Kapgari. I posted this news . Surprisingly it reached to many. One day  I got a joyful voice from Maniklal. “ Sir, I have been given Rs.50,000/ by a company in advance to grow turmeric in orchards in his neighbouring areas.”- Thereafter there is no turnback.. Now  De is too busy that I can not snatch a day to accompany him other places.

 Everyday I hear the beginning speech of Maniklal: “ Turmeric is  a Savior to those who have nothing.. who are landless or petty  fellows... I made a two storied house, I made two wheelers and I arranged marriage of my three daughters in a dignified manner.. everything I did from turmeric”—these were the opening dialogue of Maniklal that mesmerized the masses of Paschimanchal.

Maniklal-the Great.

Retrospective  Experience:

My  itinerary  in Paschimanchal  symbolizes four C’S.  The father of modern agriculture Swaminatham often quotes 4 Cs in the context of sustainable agriculture.  It stands for conservation. Cultivation, consumption and commerce.

Conservation of quality seed is a  must for propagating a cultivar. BCKV scientist,Dr.Dipak Ghosh searched for varieties suitable to Paschimanchal. Local  cultivars from  Baghmundi Ajodhya Hills were collected for future. Similarly varieties from different parts of Paschimanchal  as well as from turmeric dominant areas were trialled.   I can recall Manik Lal de- a true turmeric cultivator  having three decades experience using an improved variety. However, after several trials on the soil of Paschimanchal  one or two were selected . Criteria were of yield, time, suitability in agro-climatic condition, its colour  and cur cumin content. On screening one of the best variety which is almost local is conserved and served.

 Cultivation  program  in easier form was undertaken. Farmers were given training, in-situ demonstration, they were taken to university farms  and other means. Media also supported my journey in various ways.  Cutivation through Self-help Groups, Farmers’ clubs yielded good results.  Cultivation technique   differed  place to places,farmers to farmers according to suitability. In Ajodhya hill I had been within the newly set up WADI projects. GVT supported me there. My harvest in recent agricultural fair drew attention of many.

Similarly, Kalimati of Baghmundi saw a high yielding variety.  Fulkumari of Purulia-ii, Dumurdaha took a challenge to extent turmeric cultivation through women-run sHGs. She wanted to make a turmeric seed village. I appreciate her.

Raghunathpur-ii showed tremendous results. They harvested beyond our expectation. SHGs are doing well here.

In Bankura , Sabars sowed me  in the mango orchards. In Ranibandh,Raipur i was placed within vegetables. They say my presence in brinjal field and  saved their pesticide cost to some extent. My performance in West Midnapore,viz; Binpur, Kapgari, Belphari  etc. inspired tribal a lot.

Turmeric based cultivation has attracted Paschimanchal and ushered in a new hope.

I am happy that my followers are consuming pure turmeric. They now can distinguish between purchased materials and home based material.

 Now my future depends on commerce. I need more number of  entrepreneurs. However,  a few have come up. I want many more.

Processing and marketing is the current issue along with extension program.