Impact of cluster approach on turmeric cultivation- a study in goalpara District, Assam

In this paper an attempt was made to study the Impact of cluster approach on turmeric cultivation in Goalpara district, Assam. The study was conducted in Balijana block of Goalpara district of Assam covering a total of 140 samples of turmeric growers which consist of 70 each under individual and cluster turmeric growers. The impact of cluster approach on was measured by the difference of income and employment of cluster turmeric growers and individual turmeric growers. The significance of difference was done by applying T-Test. India is the largest producer, consumer and exporter of turmeric which constitutes 82% of world production followed by China, Myanmar and Bangladesh. Similarly the production of turmeric in Assam was 15583 tons with an area of 16309 ha in 2012-13 which has increased to 15906 tons with an area of 16244 ha in 2014-15. Cluster based approach is one of the process which can lead to empowerment and employment generation of women. For employment generation government has introduced various plans and policies at central and state level. Consequently there has been considerable growth of rural women in the state of Assam through Self-Help Group and clustering process. In this paper an attempt is made to study the trends of turmeric cultivation as employment generation of women through cluster based approach in Assam.