High demand for turmeric, ginger

Worldwide demand for turmeric (Curcuma longa) and ginger (Zingiber Officinale) is on the increase particularly turmeric with high curcumin content and ginger with high zingiberene content.

In addition to its use as a spice and natural colour the active ingredient curcumin in turmeric is currently in trials for the treatment of pancreatic cancer, Alzheimer's and psoriasis.

It may also protect brain cells from age related changes. Other uses include the treatment of arthritis, asthma, heart disease, diabetes and cancer.

Ginger in addition to its usage as a spice and beverage has therapeutic values that are now being researched and discovered by the University of Maryland Medical Centre. Both these crops can be grown in most parts of Sri Lanka.

They can be intercropped with many spice crops, coconut and rubber. The Spice Council is now conducting trials of growing turmeric with cinnamon in Ahungalle, Kosgoda and Batapola in the Galle district.

Some spice companies have started growing turmeric through contracted farmers in Ampara and Moneragala districts coordinated by GTZ PMSME.

"We welcome the proposal to bring turmeric and ginger under preview of the Department of Export Agriculture (DEA) and the Spice Council is promoting the growing of these crops through the DEA Past Chairman Spice Council Sarada de Silva said.