Turmeric is the main cash crop of the poor Tribal farmers of this district.

Annually about 16,000 Hct. are covered under this crop by about 60,000 farmers with an annual production of about 40,000 Mt.

The local variety grown from time immemorial is having 2 – 3% curcumin, 12.15% of oleoresin and 5.3% of volatile oil. This variety is not valued in the international market.

In order to bring a tangible change in quality and also to increase the per unit production one special project under Innovative Jawahar Rojagar Yojana (IJRY) was implemented in the district by Govt. of India (80%) and Panchayat Raj Dept, (20%) Govt. of Orissa.

In order to implement the project, 61 nos. Spices Development Societies (SDS) were formed in 5 blocks with more than 12,000 farmers, as its members.

Under the facilitation of the IJRY project, an increase in production and exportable turmeric could be produced in the district.

Simply this is not enough to provide more income for the farmers unless there is viable marketing.

There was no organisation or a common platform for the producers and as such the poor farmers are exploited by the middleman and traders. Hence, it was felt necessary to form an Apex Marketing Society for the benefit of farmers.

Thus, KASAM was born on 01.09.1998 by the members of 61 nos. of Spices Development Society (SDS).

KASAM is registered (Reg. No. Pboo-2385/28-1998-99) under Societies registration Act, 1860 with a Byelaws.

It has got 11237 no. of (ST-78%, SC-15% & other-7%) farmers as its primary members.

The District Collector is its President and there is a Governing Body with a Secretary as head of the management.

The motto of KASAM is to "Empowering Farmers, Enriching Lives."

Its commitment to promoting sustainable livelihoods for tribal farmers, enhancing the value of organic spices like Kandhamal Turmeric, and fostering socio-economic development in the region.

IJRY project is the mother of KASAM and all the assets created under the project are being vested with KASAM.

At present it has got two number each of Turmeric polishers, Pulverisers and sieves, one automatic fill and seal machine, one number mega ginger slicer and one number ginger cleaner and other machinery.

KASAM is also maintaining its processing center to produce quality, hygienic value-added organic products and in the process provides employment to the local people.

So the purchase of KASAM products is a direct help to the people.

In the year 2016-17 one project namely “Modernization and Expansion of KASAM” has been implemented under RKVY in which the old factory is now fully equipped with new machineries & building to increase the processing capacity from 2000MT to 5000MT per annum.