Curcumin
Curcumin is the active compound found in turmeric (Curcuma longa), widely used in medicine, food, and cosmetics. Growing turmeric for curcumin extraction can be a highly profitable agribusiness. Here’s a step-by-step business plan for curcumin farming and processing.
1. Choosing the Right Turmeric Variety
High-curcumin content turmeric is essential for better market value.
| Variety | Curcumin % | Suitable Region |
|---|---|---|
| Lakadong | 7-12% | Meghalaya, Northeast India |
| Rajendra Sonia | 6-7% | Bihar, Uttar Pradesh |
| Pragati | 5-7% | Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu |
| Alleppey Finger | 5-6% | Kerala, Karnataka |
Tip: Lakadong turmeric has the highest curcumin content and fetches premium prices.
2. Climate & Soil Requirements
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Temperature: 20-30°C, high humidity (80-90%).
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Rainfall: 1500-2000 mm annually or proper irrigation.
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Soil Type: Well-drained sandy loam with pH 5.5-7.5.
Best Growing States: Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, and Odisha.
3. Land Preparation & Planting
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Plowing: Deep plow 2-3 times to loosen soil.
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Organic Manure: Apply 10-20 tons of Farmyard Manure (FYM) per acre.
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Planting Material: Use disease-free turmeric rhizomes (seed material).
Planting Method
| Factor | Spacing | Depth |
|---|---|---|
| Row-to-row | 45-60 cm | - |
| Plant-to-plant | 25-30 cm | - |
| Rhizome Depth | - | 5-7 cm |
Planting Season: June-July (Monsoon crop) or April-May (Irrigated crop).
4. Fertilizer & Irrigation Management
Fertilizer Requirement (Per Acre)
| Fertilizer | Quantity | Application Stage |
|---|---|---|
| Farmyard Manure (FYM) | 10-20 tons | Before planting |
| Nitrogen (N) | 60-80 kg | Split doses: at 45 & 90 days |
| Phosphorus (P) | 30-40 kg | At planting |
| Potassium (K) | 60-70 kg | At planting |
Irrigation
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Rainfed Areas: 3-4 irrigations during dry spells.
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Irrigated Farming: Water every 7-10 days.
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Drip Irrigation: Increases yield by 30-40% and saves water.
Mulching with dried leaves or straw improves moisture retention.
5. Pest & Disease Management
Common Pests & Control
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Rhizome Fly & Leaf Roller – Spray Neem oil or Biopesticides.
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Shoot Borer – Use Trichogramma parasitoids.
Diseases & Control
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Rhizome Rot & Leaf Blotch – Apply Bordeaux mixture (1%).
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Bacterial Wilt – Rotate crops and avoid excess moisture.
Tip: Crop rotation with legumes reduces disease risk.
6. Harvesting & Processing for Curcumin Extraction
Harvesting Time
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Duration: 7-9 months after planting.
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Signs of Maturity: Leaves turn yellow and dry.
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Yield Per Acre: 8-10 tons of raw rhizomes (~2-3 tons of dried turmeric).
Processing Steps for Curcumin Extraction
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Boiling: Rhizomes are boiled in water at 60-80°C for 30-45 minutes.
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Drying: Sun-dry for 10-15 days or use a mechanical dryer.
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Polishing: Remove the outer layer to improve appearance.
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Grinding & Extraction: Process into powder or curcumin extract for pharma and cosmetic use.
Tip: Invest in a curcumin extraction unit (solvent or CO₂ extraction) for value addition.
7. Cost & Profit Analysis (Per Acre)
Investment Costs
| Expense | Cost per Acre |
|---|---|
| Seed Rhizomes (800-1000 kg) | ₹25,000 - ₹35,000 |
| Land Preparation | ₹5,000 - ₹8,000 |
| Fertilizers & Pesticides | ₹8,000 - ₹12,000 |
| Irrigation | ₹3,000 - ₹5,000 |
| Labor (Planting, Weeding, Harvesting) | ₹15,000 - ₹20,000 |
| Processing & Drying | ₹10,000 - ₹15,000 |
| Total Cost | ₹65,000 - ₹95,000 |
Expected Revenue & Profit
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Yield per Acre: 8-10 tons of fresh turmeric (2.5 tons dried).
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Market Price of Dry Turmeric: ₹80-₹150 per kg.
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Curcumin Extract Price: ₹2,000-₹5,000 per kg (Export market).
| Scenario | Raw Turmeric Sales | Processed Curcumin Sales |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue | ₹2,00,000 - ₹3,75,000 | ₹5,00,000 - ₹12,00,000 |
| Net Profit | ₹1,00,000 - ₹2,80,000 | ₹3,00,000 - ₹10,00,000 |
Tip: Processing turmeric into curcumin extract increases profits by 3-5x.
8. Business Strategy for Maximum Profit
A. Direct & Value-Added Sales
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Curcumin Extraction & Powder – Higher demand in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries.
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Sell Directly to Ayurveda Companies – Patanjali, Himalaya, and other herbal brands buy in bulk.
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Export to International Markets – USA, UAE, Germany, and Japan have high demand.
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Sell Online & Branding – Register on Amazon, Flipkart, or D2C websites.
B. Cost Reduction & Yield Maximization
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Use vermicompost & organic fertilizers to reduce input costs.
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Implement drip irrigation & mulching to save water and labor.
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Apply for Government Subsidies (NABARD, NHM, MSME) to get financial support.
9. Scaling Up & Long-Term Growth
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Expand to 5+ acres for large-scale curcumin production.
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Set up a turmeric processing unit for curcumin extraction.
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Build cold storage to store turmeric & control supply-demand cycles.
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