Meghalaya : Meghalaya, the enchanting mountain-clad state of India, is not just known for its scenic beauty but also for its thriving ecosystems. With abundant rainfall and fertile landscapes, the state enjoys a natural advantage in agriculture-based activities. Among its many crops, ginger, turmeric, chilies, and aromatics hold a special place, with Meghalaya being a leading producer of these spices.

Over the years, growing population coupled with limited market connections and inadequate support for farmers has led to a decline in both the quality and quantity of agricultural production. Farmers had been grappling with issues like post-harvest losses, a lack of bargaining power, and the absence of processing facilities.

Recognizing the need for comprehensive development in the agricultural sector, the Government of Meghalaya, led by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, had initiated measures to uplift farmers and communities dependent on agribusiness and allied activities. It was imperative that there should be a system for the all-around development of the farmers and the community who are directly or indirectly dependent of the Agri and allied activities.

Thus, there was an initiation of formation of an elaborate system for the farmers starting from input support, training to processing units and farmer’s markets. The Mission Mode Project was one such component that is an umbrella under which several major products of the state like the Turmeric, Ginger, Piggery, Honey, Aroma, Milk and many more. Currently the Mission Mode projects are benefitting more than 1 Lakh households through collective marketing centers, integrated village cooperative societies, Farmers Markets, processing centers and many more.

As a major producer of spices, including niche varieties such as Lakadong turmeric, Bird’s Eye chili, and King chili. The Lakadong turmeric is one of the finest varieties of turmeric in the world. It has a curcumin content ranging from 7-12% and is grown exclusively in the West Jaintia Hills region of the State.

Due to the high curcumin content, it is widely sought after for use in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. There has been a increase in production of Lakadong turmeric by 70% since 2018. The diverse agroclimatic zones of Meghalaya were utilized by the Government of Meghalaya to establish the State Spice Mission to increase spice production and farmer income.

During the initial phase of the mission, the following spices were acquired: Large Cardamom, Small Cardamom, Black Pepper, Cinnamon, and Vanilla. Additionally, the experimental planting of lavender and thyme has been undertaken.

Ginger, a staple spice in Indian households, has been a part of Meghalaya’s crucial trade to the nation. The state accounts for around 3% of India’s total ginger production, with approximately 40,000 farmers cultivating ginger across 10,000 hectares of land. However, despite the substantial area dedicated to ginger cultivation, productivity in Meghalaya has been on the decline.

To offer some remedy and rectify this impasse this productivity gap and empower farmers engaged in ginger production, the Ginger Mission was launched. A budget of Rs. 121 crores has been allocated for the programme’s implementation from 2022 to 2025. The mission focuses on building a market-oriented value chain for ginger, expanding its cultivation area, establishing processing units, providing training, and creating marketing linkages.

Furthermore, efforts will be made to process ginger into higher-value products for applications in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. The mission aims to enhance farmers’ livelihoods and ensure they have access to better markets for their produce.

Meghalaya and continues to be practised as a traditional livelihood activity. In order to create a sustainable support structure for beekeepers, the state government launched the Apiculture Mission, which has now entered its second phase, known as Apiculture Mission 2.0.

Over the course of the first phase of the initiative, training on modern beekeeping practices and value chain development was provided to over 4,000 individuals, including traditional beekeepers, feral colony catchers, and local youth. Additionally, more than 18,000 bee boxes and necessary equipment were distributed to the trained individuals.

The second phase of the Apiculture Mission aims to further strengthen the beekeeping industry in the state by providing advanced training and technology, establishing more honey processing and packaging units, and promoting the use of honey as a healthy alternative to sugar.

It targets the welfare of over 5,000 beekeepers through employment generation and enterprise promotion. As part of this initiative, an Integrated Bee Development Centre is being established, which will serve as a training facility and demonstration unit for honey processing, quality control, and value addition.

The Meghalaya Aroma Mission was initiated in 2019 to increase the cultivation of aromatic plants such as lemongrass, citronella, mentha, vetiver, geranium, and patchouli. The mission’s objective is to cultivate aromatic plants on approximately 1,000 hectares of predominantly degradable land, with an emphasis on value addition and market links for essential oils.

This mission is developed in collaboration with the Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants of the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research and aims to provide sustainable livelihood opportunities to local farmers and contribute to the growth of the essential oils industry in the region. Additionally, the mission will also focus on promoting organic farming practices and the conservation of biodiversity in the area. 

Identifying the untapped potential of jackfruit cultivation, the state government has developed a comprehensive strategy for promoting economic prosperity through the Jackfruit mission. Approximately 80,000 farmers will have the opportunity to generate an additional source of income for their households.

A collaborative effort with the  State Resource Centre for Jackfruit, ICAR-KVK (CARD) in Kerala has been established by the state government, that will bring valuable expertise and knowledge to Meghalaya, enabling farmers to learn best practices in jackfruit cultivation and processing.  As part of the initiative, “Jackfruit Mela” was held in July 2022, to bring together various Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and jackfruit entrepreneurs who showcased their value-added products derived from jackfruit.

To further support the beneficiaries, the mission is to establish techno-incubation centers. These centers will act as common processing hubs for jackfruit, providing hands-on training to farmers and entrepreneurs. They will also serve as spaces for innovation and the development of new jackfruit-based products, opening doors to new business opportunities. 

With innovative approaches and collaboration with experts, Meghalaya is set to become a frontrunner in sustainable agriculture, harnessing its natural advantages and nurturing its thriving ecosystems.