Photo Courtesy: nenews
Shillong: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman begins a two-day visit to Meghalaya this Friday, aiming to bolster regional development through infrastructure projects and stakeholder engagement. A primary focus of her trip is the inauguration of the Northeast's largest organic spice processing facility located at Bhoirymbong in the Ri Bhoi district.
Developed by the Eastern Ri Bhoi Organic Farmer Producer Company, the facility is designed to process 10,346 metric tonnes of spices, including turmeric and black pepper, annually. This project is expected to support approximately 5,500 organic farmers by improving market access and strengthening agricultural value addition.
In Shillong, the minister will open a conference titled "Leveraging Externally Aided Projects (EAPs) in the North-Eastern States." Hosted by the state government and the Department of Economic Affairs, the event gathers chief ministers and senior officials to evaluate strategies for enhancing project implementation. During a concurrent event at the U Soso Tham Auditorium, Sitharaman will lay foundation stones for four infrastructure initiatives valued at more than Rs 1,200 crore.
These investments include the Meghalaya Logistics and Connectivity Improvement Project and the Meghalaya Ecotourism Infrastructure Development Project. She is also slated to inaugurate the Jowai-Nartiang-Kdiap-Khanduli road project in Wahiajer. Beyond infrastructure, the minister plans to interact with students, local artisans specializing in black clay pottery, and farmers working with GI-tagged products to underscore the Centre's support for sustainable livelihoods.
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