The Centre for Agricultural and Rural Development Studies of the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) has advised farmers to not sell away their harvested turmeric in a hurry, but to store it and sell later, due to the current low prices.

Based on the prices prevailing in Erode for the past 15 years, the university has said that the current prices are much lower than the normal rates, despite export demands for good quality turmeric.

The university expects prices to be around Rs.10,500 per quintal in May-June this year.

Extreme drought and heat have taken a toll on turmeric production in the country, with declines reported in states like Telangana (12 percent), Tamil Nadu (58), Karnataka (4), Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra, compared to last year.