Turmeric is one of India’s oldest crops and one of its most valuable. India grows most of the world’s turmeric, and demand for clean, chemical-free turmeric keeps rising at home and abroad. This monsoon, we planted turmeric across our farms in the Konkan under the CoCo Farming Model. Here’s how we went about it, and what we learned along the way.

Start with the soil, not the seed

Before planting anything, we sent soil samples from our sites for a full laboratory analysis. Guessing is expensive; a soil test tells you exactly what your land has and what it lacks.

Our results were revealing. The soil is a clay loam, slightly acidic, and rich in organic carbon — a good sign of healthy, living soil. But it was very low in available phosphorus and sulphur, two nutrients turmeric needs for strong rhizome growth.

Conventional farming would reach for a bag of chemical fertiliser. We don’t. Instead, we build the soil up with organic inputs and natural amendments that release nutrients slowly and feed soil life rather than replacing it. The aim isn’t one good harvest; it’s soil that grows richer every year.

Raised beds for Konkan rains

Turmeric loves warmth and moisture, but it hates standing water. Waterlogged rhizomes rot. In the Konkan, where the monsoon can drop heavy rain for days on end, drainage is everything.

That’s why we plant on raised beds laid out in neat lines across the field. The raised soil lets excess rainwater drain into the channels between beds, keeping the rhizomes healthy while still holding enough moisture for growth. Well-prepared beds also make weeding, mulching and harvesting far easier.

Planting with the monsoon

Turmeric is traditionally planted as the monsoon arrives, so the crop can use the rains during its main growing phase. We completed sowing on our sites in July 2026. Healthy seed rhizomes went into the beds, followed by mulching to protect the soil from heavy rain, suppress weeds and conserve moisture.

From here, turmeric takes roughly seven to nine months to mature. When the leaves turn yellow and dry, the rhizomes are ready, which means our first harvest is expected in early 2027.

Trees on the boundary, not just crops in the field

Alongside the turmeric, we dug pits around the perimeter of our farms to plant perennial trees: mango, kokum, jackfruit and jamun, all native to or well suited to the Konkan.

These trees do several jobs at once. They act as windbreaks, hold soil in place during heavy rain, bring birds and pollinators back to the land, and add long-term value and income as they mature. A farm with trees is a more resilient farm.

Organic pest and disease care

Without synthetic pesticides, prevention comes first: healthy soil, good drainage, clean seed rhizomes, mulching and regular field monitoring. When problems appear, we rely on organic, plant-based treatments. It takes more attention, but the result is turmeric free from harmful pesticide residues.

From field to kitchen

After harvest, turmeric is cleaned, boiled, dried and polished, then ground into powder. We plan to process our harvest with minimal processing at our own hub, so the turmeric keeps its natural colour, aroma and curcumin. You can find our turmeric at Yewa Earth, our retail brand.

Grow with us

Have farmland in Raigad or nearby that isn’t reaching its potential? Under the CoCo Farming Model, we handle the cultivation from soil test to harvest. Tell us about your land.