Turmeric variety · Traditional cultivar
Lakadong
Also known as Lakadong local, West Jaintia turmeric, Lakshadong
Lakadong village, West Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya, India (900-1,800 m altitude) · Farmer-stewarded, tribal communities of Jaintia Hills (women-led traditional cultivation) · Traditional variety; GI tag awarded March 30, 2024
Exceptionally high curcumin content (7-12%, with certified samples reaching 12%). Cool altitude, organic cultivation, and rich loamy soil create a signature chemical profile. Geographic Indication protected by Government of India, valid until February 14, 2031. Global demand for premium applications. Women farmers maintain cultivation knowledge.
Key facts
| Type | Traditional cultivar |
|---|---|
| Origin | Lakadong village, West Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya, India (900-1,800 m altitude) |
| Breeder / source | Farmer-stewarded, tribal communities of Jaintia Hills (women-led traditional cultivation) |
| Year released | Traditional variety; GI tag awarded March 30, 2024 |
| Parentage | Indigenous germplasm domesticated from forest populations centuries ago |
| Yield | high-quality premium output; specific tonnage data less consistent than commercial varieties |
| Tolerance | Naturally organic growing conditions; pest and disease resilience through altitude and traditional practices |
| Distinctive features | Bright golden-yellow colour; potent aroma; high curcumin; essential oils; traditionally hand-processed |
| Grown in | East and West Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya (GI demarcation) |
| Also known as | Lakadong local, West Jaintia turmeric, Lakshadong |
Figures are indicative, compiled from public agricultural sources (ICAR institutes, State Agricultural Universities, the Spices Board and the National Innovation Foundation) and vary with soil, season and management. Confirm with your local package of practices.
Lakadong in detail
Lakadong turmeric from Meghalaya's cool Jaintia Hills carries 7-12% curcumin—several times the potency of ordinary turmeric—owing to its altitude, loamy soil, and farmer-stewardship over generations.
Origin & story
Lakadong village in West Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya is the eponymous source of this traditional cultivar, stewarded by tribal farming communities for generations. The variety received Geographical Indication protection on 30 March 2024, valid until 14 February 2031, making it the first turmeric variety from Meghalaya to earn GI status. Trinity Saioo, a former teacher who led Lakadong cultivation among around 800 women farmers in the region, received the Padma Shri in 2020 for advancing organic farming knowledge.
How it grows
Grown between roughly 900–1,800 m altitude in villages across East and West Jaintia Hills. One commonly cited figure places cultivation at around 1,753 hectares by approximately 14,000 farmers across 43 villages, though more recent estimates report larger areas. Cool highland climate, frequent rainfall, and rich loamy soil underpin the crop's signature chemistry. Planting typically occurs around April with harvest by December. Farmers practise the traditional 'bun' method (bed-and-slope) largely with hand tools. Organic methods are standard, with little use of synthetic pesticides or fertilisers. Post-harvest involves washing, light boiling, sun-drying, and grinding using traditional techniques.
Quality & character
Curcumin content ranges 7–12%, with laboratory-certified samples reaching 12%—well above the roughly 2–3% of ordinary turmeric. Darker golden-yellow colour; potent, fresh aroma; an essential oil profile shaped by high-altitude terroir and the region's loamy soil.
Why it matters to buyers
The GI tag restricts authentic Lakadong production to East and West Jaintia Hills; cultivation or marketing under the Lakadong name outside this region constitutes legal infringement. High curcumin concentration commands premium prices in culinary and wellness markets, and global demand for premium applications is strong. Buyer verification of GI certification and sourcing from registered grower collectives (the GI holder is Lakadong Turmeric Cooperative Union Limited, Jowai) supports authenticity and women-led farming communities.
About turmeric
India grows more turmeric than any country on earth—over 30 varieties with distinct flavours, curcumin profiles, and growing regions. From the cool heights of Meghalaya's Jaintia Hills to Tamil Nadu's red soil and Maharashtra's famous Sangli market, each region gives its turmeric a signature identity. Whether you're a farmer choosing planting material, a…
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