Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Shillong: The Centre and Meghalaya government rolled out the Meghalaya Lakadong Turmeric Integrated Development Mission on Tuesday. This Rs 175.45-crore project aims to turn the state’s GI-tagged turmeric into a global brand. Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, and Agriculture Minister Timothy D. Shira launched the initiative at Sanchar Bhavan in New Delhi.
This five-year plan runs from 2026 to 2030. It targets 17,500 farmers across the West and East Jaintia Hills. Officials expect women to handle 99 percent of processing and institutional operations. Scindia dubbed the effort Mission Golden Spice. He stated, "Our northeastern states are no longer the periphery of the developmental paradigm but have now become the centre of India's development."
The project aims to double farmer remuneration to Rs 80 per kg by 2030. It will expand cultivation area from 2,500 hectares to 7,000 hectares. This brings total state cultivation to 9,581 hectares. The goal is an annual production of 49,400 metric tonnes, pushing total output to 60,000 metric tonnes. New export targets include the United States, Japan, the European Union, and the Gulf.
Infrastructure gets a major share of the budget. MDoNER and the North Eastern Council will provide Rs 87.62 crore. The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare contributes Rs 58.10 crore. The state government covers Rs 29.73 crore. Plans include a Rs 41.69-crore curcumin extraction facility in West Jaintia Hills, 28 packhouses, 28 cluster warehouses, and Rs 35 crore in planting materials.
Chief Minister Sangma noted the specific, high-quality soil of the Jaintia Hills drives the product’s success. He said, "The unique soil and ecosystem in West Jaintia Hills and East Jaintia Hills ensure the high quality of the Lakadong turmeric, making it the correct product for the mission." The state has set up financial systems to provide working capital to farmers and self-help groups.
The mission will also support other crops like ginger, pineapple, honey, mushrooms, and jackfruit. Padma Shri awardee Trinity Saioo and farmer Jhanika Siangshai participated in the launch. Other officials present included Union Minister of State for DoNER Sukanta Majumdar, DoNER Secretary Nivedita Shukla, and Meghalaya Commissioner and Secretary Dr. Vijay Kumar D.
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