Farmers in Erode, which is a major turmeric growing district in Tamil Nadu, continue to harvest turmeric for Pongal from a portion of the crow-growing areas, as this is a tradition that has been passed on for generations.
The six-to-eight-month crop is cultivated on around 27,000 acres in the district, and the turmeric market in Erode is the second-biggest in the country, next to Nizamabad in Telangana. The crop is grown widely in the blocks of Kodumudi, Modakkurichi, Erode, Bhavani, Anthiyur and Gobichettipalayam, that are irrigated by the Kalingarayan Canal, Lower Bhavani Project Canal, and Arakkankottai and Thadapalli Canals.
However, not all of the entire turmeric is harvested for the festival. Farmers say the crop on about 250 to 320 acres is harvested by farmers, and traders purchase this to sell across the State.
