Problems for Turmeric Growers

Cold Weather

• Turmeric needs a minimum temperature of 65 degrees Fahrenheit to live and prefers warmer temperatures. Cold snaps can kill off plants or entire crops. The minimum temperature requirement helps explain why turmeric primarily is grown in countries such as India and Indonesia, as well as warmer regions of China. But these regions are not immune to unexpected cold weather. Plants accustomed to very warm conditions may die even if the temperature does not drop below 65 degrees Fahrenheit.

Drought

• Turmeric needs a lot of moisture to live and grow. Periods of drought severely affect the plant because the root is the useful part of turmeric. If drought conditions prevent enough water from reaching the root, it dries out and becomes useless. A 2009 drought in India affected the crop nationwide, for instance, and it was not until a monsoon hit the following year that turmeric production bounced back.

Red Spider Mites

• Red spider mites often infest turmeric and can cause damage to the plant by eating its leaves. They feast by piercing a leaf and drawing out fluids and cells, resulting in a series of tiny holes over the leaf's surface. The holes damage the leaf's waterproof covering, causing the foliage to dry out; this puts the whole plant at risk.

  Home gardeners can control the problem by misting turmeric plant leaves with water or a water and mild insecticide solution. Commercial growers also usually must spray their plants to protect them from red spider mites. Such growers may use water, chemical insecticides or organic insecticides, such as derris powder.

Pricing and Supply

• Commercial turmeric growers face additional problems outside of temperature, water and insect considerations. They also must overcome market problems, such as low pricing, oversupply and issues getting their crop to market. As a plant grown nationally in India, for example, many farmers likely experience a bumper crop at the same time. This creates oversupply and can drop buying prices, leaving farmers to face a choice: sell for a low price or hold onto their supply in hopes of a higher price while risking that they will not offload their crop.