Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Shillong: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated the Northeast’s largest organic spice processing facility in Meghalaya’s Ri-Bhoi district on June 19. Accompanied by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, Sitharaman unveiled the Rs 32 crore plant designed to transform the region's agricultural output through improved value addition.
Capable of processing over 10,000 metric tonnes of produce annually, the facility focuses on high-value crops including ginger, turmeric, black pepper, and chilli. It features modern infrastructure such as cold storage, washing, and pulverising units, which are expected to significantly reduce post-harvest losses. The plant holds organic certification under both the National Programme for Organic Production and European Union standards, opening pathways for local goods to enter premium global markets.
Sitharaman stressed the importance of quality and sustainability in modern agriculture. She stated, "The future of agriculture belongs to those who produce not merely more, but better, cleaner, safer, more traceable and more sustainable products." She added that moving toward finished, branded products rather than raw exports is essential for increasing farmer income.
The project serves as a cornerstone for the Eastern Ri-Bhoi Organic Farmer Producer Company, a collective of approximately 500 farmers. By strengthening local aggregation and processing, the initiative is projected to directly benefit 5,500 organic farmers. According to Agriculture Secretary Vijay Kumar D., participating farmers could see their incomes rise by nearly 50 percent within a single season.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma noted that this facility is part of a broader state strategy to build robust value chains. With 11 processing units now operational across Meghalaya, the government aims to support rural livelihoods through existing agricultural strengths. The project received funding and technical backing from the Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, and local government programs.
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