How to grow TURMERIC in Uganda

Turmeric (Scientific name: Curcuma longa ) is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial plant of the ginger family, Zingiberaceae.

Turmeric is typically grown for curry processing.

Locally turmeric is known as “Ekinzali Ekiganda”. The crop has been an ancient and sacred spice used in many ways as a flavoring and coloring agent.

The growing demand for natural products as food additives has made turmeric an ideal food colorant.

Common Turmeric varieties in Uganda

We have no specific varieties lines in Uganda and the indigenous ones are known mostly by the name of the growing localities.

Soil requirements growing Turmeric

The best soils for turmeric would be clay loamy soils with moderate humus to act as manure. Alternatively animal manure or farm yard manure can be used enrich the turmeric gardens.

How to propagate Turmeric Africa

Rhizome is best started using rhizomes.

How to plant Turmeric in Uganda

Pre-sprout your turmeric seed to jump start on the long season required to grow turmeric.

To pre-sprout place the turmeric seed in a shallow tray lined with husks

Keep the seeds watered and warm.

This process will take about 30-35 days.

To plant, dig trenches 6 inches deep in rows 3ft apart.

Mix fertilizers or compost in the bottom of the trench.

Then place pre-sprouted turmeric seed 5 to 10 inches apart in the trench.

Gently cover with soil and then water to keep the soil moist.

Unlike ginger turmeric will not require hilling.

Weed depending upon weed intensity to keep off competition.

Have a pest and disease control strategy against pests and diseases.

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How best to harvest Turmeric in Uganda

Well managed turmeric crop is ready for harvest in 7-9 months depending on the variety and time of sowing.

Harvest the rhizomes by loosening the soil from the base of the plant with a shovel or garden fork.

Then grasp the stems near the ground and pull the entire plant from the ground by the stalk.

The harvest yield depends on fertility, water, completion with weeds and temperature.

Contact us here to buy Turmeric rhizomes in Uganda

About the Uses and Market for Turmeric

Turmeric market has been there for long now.

The crop can be sold in Uganda local markets like Owino, Nakaseero not to mention the curry processing factories and dieting groups.

Turmeric is one of the key ingredients in many Asian dishes, imparting a mustard-like, earthy aroma and pungent, slightly bitter flavor to foods.

Turmeric is used mostly in savory dishes, but also is used in some sweet dishes, such as the cake sfouf.

In India, turmeric plant leaf is used to prepare special sweet dishes, Patoleo, by layering rice flour and coconut-jaggery mixture on the leaf, then closing and steaming it in a special utensil (chondrõ).

Most turmeric is used in the form of rhizome powder to impart a golden yellow color.

It is used in many products such as canned beverages, baked products, dairy products, ice cream, yogurt, yellow cakes, orange juice, biscuits, popcorn color, cereals, sauces, and gelatin.

It is a principal ingredient in curry powders.

Although typically used in its dried, powdered form, turmeric also is used fresh, like ginger.

It has numerous uses in East Asian recipes, such as pickle that contains large chunks of soft turmeric, made from fresh turmeric.


Contact us here to buy Turmeric rhizomes in Uganda

Quick tips for planting turmeric in Africa

• Open up land meant for planting to clear up shrubs and bushes.



• Dig up 6 inch trenches in rows 3ft apart.



• Mix some of the top soils with a fertilizer or compost to enrich the planting base.



• Place your pre-sprouted turmeric seeds 5-10 inches apart in the trench.



• Cover with soil, water and then mulch.



• Weed to prevent competition as the plant doesn’t do well with weeds.



• Wait hopefully for 7-9 months to harvest you rhizomes for market.

Contact us here to buy Turmeric rhizomes in Uganda

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