One of the biggest challenges farmers face is saving the seeds from their harvest and preserving them till the next sowing season. Often, they depend on chemicals to prevent the seeds from pest-attack or fungus, which may do the job of keeping the seeds safe, but which is not good for the health or environment, besides being expensive.

Scientists from the Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh, after extensive research and experiments, found that turmeric is an inexpensive and effective way of storing seeds.  

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CL Maurya, professor at the university, and his team from the department of seed science and technology of the institute have successfully experimented in storing the seeds of the arhar (pigeon pea) with the use of turmeric. 

“After the harvest, farmers keep aside part of the grains to be used the following sowing season, and for their own domestic consumption. Usually they depend upon chemical-based pesticides to keep the grains safe for a long period. But this can be harmful,” Maurya told Gaon Connection.   

“We wanted to find an inexpensive yet safe and non-chemical way the farmers could preserve the seeds and grains. And turmeric offered the solution,” he continued. 

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Last year, on January 28, Maurya presented the findings of the research at an international conference in Thailand, and he was given the distinguished scientist award. The research was sanctioned by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research. 

Non-chemical and safe

In order to find an eco-friendly and inexpensive way of storing the seeds and grains, the scientific team of the university tried using turmeric powder, neem powder, eucalyptus, lemongrass, tulsi (basil), lantana, etc., to see if they prevented infestation. 

“The most effective was the turmeric powder. It did a good job of successfully keeping the arhar seeds from spoiling for over a year,” said the professor.  The preserved seeds were then sown in the university’s farms and they grew well, the scientist said.  

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Method of using the turmeric

The turmeric contains curcumin that is bitter and it is this quality that keeps pests and fungus at bay, Maurya explained. Turmeric is also rich in antioxidants and antimicrobial properties. “This is a completely non-chemical way of preserving grains,” he added. 

According to Maurya, “Ensure the seeds that have to be preserved, do not have more than ten per cent moisture in them. Dry the seeds well. Then, mix four grams of turmeric powder in a kilo of seeds, and they are ready to be stored safely,” he explained. 

His team of scientists are now using nano technology to study the nanoparticles of the curcumin in the turmeric to use it more effectively and efficiently in preserving seeds. 

Read the story in Hindi