SHILLONG: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday inaugurated the largest organic spice processing plant in Northeast India at Lumdaitkhla, Bhoirymbong, in Ri Bhoi district, marking a major milestone in Meghalaya’s organic agriculture and value-addition sector.
The state-of-the-art facility, established by the Eastern Ri-Bhoi Organic Farmer Producer Company (FPO), has an annual processing capacity of 10,000 metric tonnes of spices and is expected to directly benefit around 5,500 organic farmers across Eastern Ri Bhoi. The multi-purpose unit is equipped to process turmeric, ginger, black pepper, chilli and other high-value organic spices.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, Cabinet Ministers Metbah Lyngdoh, Sosthones Sohtun and Timothy D. Shira, local MLA Damanbait Lamare, Umsning MLA Dr. Celestine Lyngdoh, and other dignitaries.
On the occasion, several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed with different companies to strengthen market linkages and create sustainable business opportunities for farmers and producer groups.
Addressing the gathering, Sitharaman praised Meghalaya’s long-standing tradition of sustainable living and environmental stewardship, noting that many of the principles now being promoted globally under sustainability initiatives have long been practised by the people of the state.
Referring to Khasi wisdom and traditions, the Finance Minister highlighted the importance of living in peace, harmony and contentment, while stressing the community’s deep respect for nature. She cited Meghalaya’s sacred groves as a shining example of community-led ecological conservation and said the state’s cultural values reinforce the principle that human actions ultimately return through their consequences.
“Such wisdom is especially relevant in agriculture, where the choices we make today about soil, water and farming inputs determine the resilience and productivity of tomorrow,” she said.
Sitharaman said the future of agriculture lies not merely in producing more, but in producing better, cleaner, safer and more sustainable products. She noted that Meghalaya enjoys a natural advantage in this emerging premium economy due to its strong organic farming practices.
Describing the newly inaugurated facility as the culmination of nearly a decade of institution-building by the Eastern Ri-Bhoi Organic Farmer Producer Company, Sitharaman said the FPO, established in 2017 and now comprising more than 500 organic farmers from nine villages, has emerged as a successful model of farmer collectivisation and value-chain development.
Supported under the Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCD-NER), the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), the State Government and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the project has been developed at an investment of approximately Rs 32 crore.
The Finance Minister said the certified organic spice processing facility is the first of its kind in the Northeast and includes cold, dry and wet storage facilities, washing units, drying systems and pulverising equipment. She said the plant would help reduce post-harvest losses, enhance value addition and improve market access for thousands of farming families.
Highlighting the progress made by Ri Bhoi district, Sitharaman expressed confidence that the district would soon graduate from its Aspirational District status and emerge as a benchmark for development across the country.
“Many aspirational districts across India have already reached growth levels comparable to their respective state averages and have moved beyond that category. I am confident that Ri Bhoi will not only achieve that milestone but will soon become a pioneering district setting new benchmarks,” she said.
The Union Minister also commended the leadership of Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and the efforts of the farmers associated with the project. Drawing comparisons with similar agricultural value-addition units in Karnataka, she said the Ri Bhoi facility has set exceptionally high standards in quality and operations.
“What you have achieved here is remarkable. The quality of infrastructure and processes established at this facility can serve as a model for similar units across the country,” Sitharaman said, congratulating the Eastern Ri-Bhoi Organic Farmer Producer Company on its achievement.
Addressing the gathering, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma lauded Sitharaman for her commitment to initiatives that directly impact the lives of ordinary citizens, particularly farmers.
Sangma said that while the Finance Minister is entrusted with taking major economic decisions for the country, she also recognises the importance of smaller interventions that can bring transformative changes to people’s lives.
“The reason the Finance Minister pays attention to such initiatives is because she understands that small changes can make a significant difference in the lives of our farmers and citizens. What may appear small to us can be a game-changing development for a farmer,” he said.
The Chief Minister noted that improving people’s lives remains one of the primary objectives of his government.
“For me, being able to make a positive difference in a person’s life and bring a smile to their face is the greatest satisfaction and one of the strongest motivating factors in public service,” he said.
Highlighting the state’s efforts to strengthen farmer livelihoods, Sangma said that 11 such processing units are currently operational across Meghalaya. On average, each unit supports around 5,000 farmers, benefiting nearly 55,000 farmers and their families through improved infrastructure, value addition and market access.
He emphasised that the government had not introduced a completely new concept but had built upon practices that local communities had been following for generations.
“The people have been doing this for years. They invented the wheel. We are only trying to take it one notch higher by providing support, better infrastructure, training, expertise and market connectivity,” he said.
According to the Chief Minister, the government carefully identified dedicated and passionate farmer groups before extending financial assistance and technical support. He stressed that passion and commitment are essential qualities that help such groups overcome challenges and sustain growth.
Sangma acknowledged that while significant progress has been made, much work remains to be done, particularly in improving logistics and market access. Recalling Sitharaman’s visit to Meghalaya last year, he said she had advised the state to focus on creating logistics hubs, expanding exports, enhancing value addition, increasing product shelf life and aligning production with market demand.
“It is based on that vision that we continue to implement programmes that create meaningful change in the lives of our people,” he said.
On the broader development of the region, Sangma said the Chief Ministers of the Northeastern states are working together more closely than ever before. He credited the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for providing political stability and sustained attention to the region’s development.
“There cannot be a better time than now to transform the Northeast. The momentum is there, the political stability is there, and the capacity of the states to absorb and implement development programmes has increased significantly,” he said.
The Chief Minister expressed confidence that with continued support from the Centre, particularly Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Sitharaman, the Northeast would continue to grow alongside the rest of the country and emerge as a key driver of India’s development journey.
