Identifying the Potentials of Turmeric for Food Security in Nigeria

Abstract

This paper is aim at identifying the potentials of turmeric for food security in Nigeria. The paper examined the production, processing, marketing, potentials and increasing popularization of the crop for food security in Nigeria. It relied on information from secondary sources such as documented relevant review literature on turmeric, NRCRI Annual Reports and field experience of Researchers. The main goal of food security is for individuals to be able to obtain adequate food and food accessories needed at all times, and to be able to utilize the food to meet the body’s needs. Food security is multifaceted. The three pillars underpinning food security are food availability, food accessibility, and food utilization. Agriculture remains a major driver of food production and security in Nigeria and Turmeric is one of the minor root and tuber crops produce in National Root Crops Research Institute, Umudike and the institute has the capacity for repositioning the crop for achievement of agricultural transformation in Nigeria and globally. If exploited, Nigeria is capable of leading the world turmeric market and to further provide platform for wooing the private investors into the crop production, processing and marketing. This is because it has diverse economic and health importance and highly valued at the international market. Turmeric is used as a food spice and a major component of curry powder, as medicine for the prevention and treatment of diverse kinds of diseases, as cosmetics and as dye for colouring fabrics but this potential has not been fully tapped as the techniques needed for its production have not been properly understood by the farmers which have led to low production and utilization. This paper therefore X-rayed the potentials of turmeric for food security in Nigeria.