Centre launches Rs 175-crore mission to make Meghalaya's Lakadong turmeric global brand

New Delhi/Shillong: DoNER Minister Jyotiraditya M Scindia on Tuesday launched a Rs 175.45-crore mission to transform Meghalaya's GI-certified Lakadong turmeric into a globally competitive brand, with a target of doubling farmers' income and expanding cultivation over the next five years.

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The Meghalaya Lakadong Turmeric Integrated Development Mission aims to benefit more than 17,500 farmers across West and East Jaintia Hills by strengthening the entire value chain -- from cultivation and certification to processing, branding, value addition and exports, officials said.

Jointly funded by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), North Eastern Council (NEC), the Agriculture Ministry and the Meghalaya government, the mission was launched at Sanchar Bhavan in New Delhi in the presence of Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma and state Agriculture Minister Timothy D Shira.

Describing the initiative as "Mission Golden Spice", Scindia said it reflected Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of leveraging the Northeast's unique strengths for national and international markets.

"Our northeastern states are no longer the periphery of the developmental paradigm but have now become the centre of India's development," he said.

The minister said the mission seeks to strengthen the Lakadong turmeric value chain by expanding processing capacity, reducing distress sales and increasing value addition.

It aims to double farmers' remuneration to Rs 80 per kg by 2030, he said.

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The programme also envisages expanding the area under Lakadong turmeric cultivation from 2,500 hectares to 7,000 hectares and promoting exports to markets such as the US, the EU, Japan and the Gulf countries.

Scindia said the initiative would also promote women-led development, noting that Lakadong turmeric had gained international recognition after being showcased by PM Modi at the G7 Summit.

Sangma said the high curcumin content and premium quality of Lakadong turmeric stem from the unique soil and ecosystem of the Jaintia Hills.

"The unique soil and ecosystem in West Jaintia Hills and East Jaintia Hills ensure the high quality of Lakadong turmeric, making it the right product for this mission," he said.

The CM said the programme would significantly improve the livelihoods of thousands of farmers and entrepreneurs, particularly women engaged in turmeric cultivation and processing.

He said the state government has created financial mechanisms to provide working capital to farmers, self-help groups and organisations without requiring conventional banking collateral.

Officials said the mission targets annual production of 49,400 metric tonnes of Lakadong turmeric by 2030, with women expected to account for 99 per cent of participation in processing and institutional activities.

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