Mumbai / Shillong, 19 June (HS): In a landmark moment for

the State’s agricultural sector, Nirmala Sitharaman, Hon’ble Union Minister of

Finance and Corporate Affairs, on her two-day visit to Meghalaya, officially

inaugurated the Organic Spice Industrial Unit (PRIME-HUB), North East’s largest

Organic Spice Processing Plant today in Bhoirymbong. This state-of-the-art

facility reflects the Government of Meghalaya's sustained leadership and

strategic commitment to transforming the regional agricultural landscape and

converting it to high-value enterprise.

The inauguration of the facility aligns with the direct

outcome of a long-term planning by the State which has established a

sustainable ecosystem for its Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and its

overall economy. Envisioned under the leadership of Conrad K. Sangma, Hon’ble

Chief Minister of Meghalaya, its foundation stone was laid on August 9, 2024.

The project, now, has transitioned to a fully operational powerhouse in record

time.

The ceremony was also graced by Prem Singh Tamang, Hon’ble

Chief Minister of Sikkim. Meghalaya’s growing position as a central hub for

regional economic cooperation and agro-industrial innovation in the North East,

was recognised by all the dignitaries present during the inauguration.

In her keynote address, Smt Nirmala Sitharaman, commended

the leadership of Conrad K. Sangma, observing that Ri-Bhoi is rapidly

progressing from an aspirational district into a pioneering model for the

nation. Drawing a comparison to similar agricultural value-addition initiatives

elsewhere in India, she noted that the exceptional standard and quality of

processes established here stand out while empowering the Eastern Ri-Bhoi

Farmer Producer Company (FPC) to set a new benchmark for the entire country to

match.

She emphasized that this milestone bridges distances and

demonstrates how targeted investments, institutional partnerships, and

convergence financing can drive real grassroots development. Pointing out that

Meghalaya's organic spice economy commands a premium because its trust is

deeply rooted in nature, community, and ecological knowledge, she highlighted

that as the certified global ginger market approaches 7 billion USD by 2030,

Meghalaya is precisely the highly valued origin the world seeks.To underline

this global positioning, she affirmed, “In this emerging premium economy,

Meghalaya enjoys a natural advantage that many regions of the world are still

trying to create.” Tying this agricultural success to the Viksit Bharat vision,

she concluded that when Meghalaya’s farmer grows, the Northeast will lead from

the front for the rest of the country to follow.

Addressing the gathering, Conrad K. Sangma, said that

today’s inauguration represents a game-changing development that has taken

place for the local agricultural community. He expressed his gratitude for the

Union Finance Minister's commitment to grassroots initiatives. He emphasized

that over the last 8 years, there has been a dedicated endeavour to make

changes in farmers' lives by elevating existing practices through vital

financial support, expert training, and enhanced market accessibility.

Illustrating the success of these initiatives, he announced

that there are 11 such functional units in the State currently. With the

understanding that each unit on average supports 5,000 individuals, a

remarkable 55,000 lives have been impacted. He also highlighted the

unprecedented Centre and Northeast synergy, noting that leaders across the

region are working together more closely than ever before. Acknowledging the

Honourable Prime Minister’s vision in moving the country forward, he reaffirmed

that the Northeast is advancing in step with the nation, concluding firmly,

“Every single citizen is part of the growth story.”

The Unit: Investment:

Developed with Rs. 30 crores to significantly scale up production.

Capacity: Designed to process over 10,000 metric tons of

organic spices annually.

Impact: Directly benefits 5,500 farmers across 112 villages

to support sustainable livelihoods.

Partnership: Implemented by the Meghalaya Basin Management

Agency, Eastern Ri-Bhoi Organic Farmer Producer Company and International Fund

for Agricultural Development under the aegis of the Meghalaya Livelihoods and

Access to Markets Project.

MoU’s were also signed between private partners and the FPC,

including a formal Memorandum presented by the FPC representatives to the Union

Finance Minister for a food processing unit and continued organic

certification.

Prestone Tynsong, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Meghalaya

noted that Meghalaya is home to over 4.5 lakh farming households. The new

facility, equipped with a 10,000 metric ton capacity, is designed to directly

empower local agricultural communities by enabling them to process and

effectively market their finished products. Guided by the State’s leadership,

this milestone reflects a strong commitment to enhancing rural livelihoods,

creating local employment, and driving broader agricultural prosperity

throughout the region.

In his address, Dr.

Vijay Kumar D, IAS, Commissioner and Secretary, Planning, Investment Promotion,

and Sustainable Development Department, Meghalaya highlighted that the unit

would empower farmers by boosting their incomes by up to 50% and expanding

global market access. He emphasized the project's unique community

public-private partnership which stands as a benchmark for cooperative-led,

export-driven agricultural growth.

Recognising that

farmers make up more than 70 percent of the employment and economic livelihood

engagement in Meghalaya, this comes at a time when the State is witnessing

significant growth in farmer incomes through the innovative use of

state-of-the-art facilities and technology.

The launch of the facility stands as a testament to how

visionary governance, coupled with structured planning and partnership can

drive tangible growth. As Meghalaya continues to champion organic farming and

sustainable development, this facility establishes a definitive farmer-centric

agricultural model across the entire North-Eastern region and beyond.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi