State gets hi-tech orchid production unit

SHILLONG: Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Thursday laid the foundation stone for the state-of-the-art orchidarium and orchid production unit in the city in a few months’ time by Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (IBSD).
Lauding this “milestone” initiative for Meghalaya, Conrad said Holland is the largest producer of orchids followed by Thailand whereas Japan is the biggest importer or orchids.
“This initiative of IBSD is in line with the government’s Make in Meghalaya mission,” he added.
In his welcome address, Prof Dinabandhu Sahoo, director of IBSD, said the North East has more than 850 species of orchids but there are not many state-of-the-art Orchidariums and orchid production units.
In view of this, IBSD will set up orchid production units in different parts of states and will train a large number of unemployed youth, women and farmers to develop orchid-based bio-entrepreneurship not only in Meghalaya but in the entire region.
In his special address, Urban Affairs Minister Hamletson Dohling congratulated IBSD for this initiative and promised all support for the success of this project, which will promote and also conserve the biodiversity of the state, besides boosting the green economy.