Authentic Classroom Explanation by IAS Monk

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📌 Question

Consider the following statements about turmeric during the year 2022–23:

I. India is the largest producer and exporter of turmeric in the world.
II. More than 30 varieties of turmeric are grown in India.
III. Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are major turmeric producing States in India.

Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) I and II only
(b) II and III only
(c) I and III only
(d) I, II and III

✅ Correct Answer: (d) I, II and III

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🎯 Theme of the Question

Agricultural Geography | Cash Crops | Spices | India’s Global Agro-Trade

UPSC is testing static agriculture + current trade dominance + regional geography in one integrated question.

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🧠 Classroom Explanation

Let us evaluate each statement calmly, like a classroom board discussion.

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🟢 Statement I

India is the largest producer and exporter of turmeric in the world.

✔️ Correct

• India accounts for over 60–62% of global turmeric production and exports
• India is also the largest consumer, making turmeric a rare crop where:
  • Producer = Consumer = Exporter (global leader)

This triple dominance makes turmeric a high-confidence UPSC fact.

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🟢 Statement II

More than 30 varieties of turmeric are grown in India.

✔️ Correct

• India grows turmeric across 20+ states
• Over 30 named varieties, including:
  • Salem
  • Rajapuri
  • Erode
  • Nizamabad varieties
• Varietal diversity exists due to:
  • Climate variation
  • Soil diversity
  • Regional culinary and medicinal demand

UPSC often uses “number of varieties” as a trap — here, the number is genuinely high.

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🟢 Statement III

Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are major turmeric producing States in India.

✔️ Correct

• These states form the core turmeric belt of peninsular India
• Reasons:
  • Warm, humid climate
  • Well-drained loamy soils
  • Long growing season

Other contributors exist, but these four dominate commercial output.

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🧮 UPSC Elimination Logic

• Statement I ✔️ (Global dominance well-established)
• Statement II ✔️ (High varietal diversity is a known feature)
• Statement III ✔️ (Standard NCERT + Ministry data fact)

👉 All three statements are correct
✔️ Option (d)

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🧠 Memory Hook

“Turmeric = India’s Golden Triangle”
➡️ Largest producer + exporter + consumer

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🔍 Curiosity Corner

India recently declared GI tags for turmeric varieties like:

• Erode Turmeric (Tamil Nadu)
• Kandhamal Haladi (Odisha)

UPSC may next ask:

Which turmeric varieties have GI tags?

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📘 Enrichment Note

Why turmeric matters beyond agriculture:

• Medicinal importance (curcumin)
• Ayurveda & traditional medicine
• Export earnings
• Soft-power crop in global wellness markets

Hence, turmeric is a Geo-Economics + Agriculture crossover topic.

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🎯 Prelims Strategy Insight

• Spices are low-volume but high-value crops
• UPSC loves:
  • Producer–exporter matching
  • State-wise crop mapping
  • “More than X varieties” type qualifiers

Always trust India’s dominance in spices unless proven otherwise.

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🧩 One-Line Ready Recall

Turmeric → India leads production, export, consumption, varieties, and states.

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🧭 IAS Monk Whisper
When UPSC speaks of spices, think geography first, economy next, culture always.