Abstract

                                The instability in turmeric production were examined in terms of area and productivity in important states of South India viz. Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala. These states contributed around 80 percent of turmeric produced in India. Secondary data was used for the study, considering the period from 1979-80 to 1998-99. Hazell's decomposition model was used for the analysis. The instability in area and productivity of turmeric indicated that the area in the case of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu showed instability, while Kerala showed stability. But, in the case of yield, except Karnataka all other states showed instability. Decomposition analysis showed that yield instability was the dominant factor affecting production. The future development programmes should envisage stabilisation of yield, which would stabilize production. Evolving location specific varieties, adoption of modern cultural practices and intensive cultivation were some of the suggestions for stabilising productivity of turmeric.

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