Shillong: Meghalaya is betting big on its high-curcumin Lakadong turmeric. Union Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia and Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma launched Mission Golden Spice in New Delhi to overhaul the entire supply chain. The project budget hits Rs 175.45 crore over five years. It aims to support more than 17,500 households, with women making up the majority of those who will gain from the move.
Lakadong pioneer and Padma Shri winner Trinity Saioo sees this as a major shift. The plan provides free planting materials to farmers struggling with costs. Saioo noted, "The mission has the potential to create a stronger Meghalaya brand for Lakadong turmeric by enabling local entrepreneurs to process and market the product beyond the state and overseas." She also praised the move toward modern processing facilities, though she cautioned that the open market will ultimately dictate final prices.
Project Officer Demandson Lyngdoh confirmed that implementation is already moving forward. Officials have acquired land for a new Centralised Organic Processing Unit. Registration for local farmers and Farmer Producer Organisations is ongoing. The mission aims to scale cultivation from 2,500 hectares to 7,000 hectares by 2030 across the West and East Jaintia Hills. Farmers will get bio-inputs, organic certification support, and training in modern techniques.
The state wants to move away from raw sales. By adding a curcumin extraction plant and better warehouses, the project hopes to open doors to European and international markets. FPOs will run these facilities, ensuring that small-scale growers keep more profit. It marks a transition from simple farming to a modern enterprise.
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