Photo Courtesy: nenews
Aizawl: North Eastern Council Secretary Satinder Kumar Bhalla toured Champhai, Mizoram, on Thursday to audit stalled agriculture and trade projects. He demanded immediate action to finish construction and boost commercial output. Horticulture Secretary Maria CT Zuali, Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Aaquib, and Senior Research Officer Lalnunsiami joined him on the site visits.
Bhalla examined the Mualkawi Ginger Main Processing Hub and the Zotlang Ginger Spoke Hub. These sites focus on cleaning, grading, slicing, drying, and packaging ginger crops. During talks with farmers, Bhalla insisted on quick completion of all remaining tasks so the facilities could start operations immediately. The group also evaluated the NEC-funded Passion Fruit Processing Unit. Bhalla noted that high quality standards are mandatory for juice production, adding, "The recruitment of qualified personnel and proper management to ensure the facility operates continuously after its inauguration" is a top priority.
The delegation assessed the Champhai Winery at Tlangsam alongside the Champhai Grape Growers' Society. While state wine policies have caused recent friction, the plant remains vital for local farmers. Officials are now pushing to hike production from 150 cases per day to the full capacity of 600 cases. At the Oak Tasar Seed Farm, the Sericulture Department highlighted that Champhai produces all four varieties of silk: Oak Tasar, Mulberry, Muga, and Eri. Bhalla pushed for better market pricing to help local silk rearers earn more.
The trip ended at the Zokhawthar Land Customs Station on the Myanmar border. Officials analyzed the effectiveness of regional trade operations. Champhai depends on these links to move its ginger, passion fruit, and grapes into wider markets.
Updated at 15th October 2026 at 9:49pm
Beyond the industrial sites, Bhalla inspected the Zomi Culture Centre, a project currently under construction with NEC backing. He also spent time at the Hnahsin Kut, or Cosmos Flower Festival, on Wednesday.
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