Conrad launches Northeast’s first wine incubation centre
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Sep 14: The Meghalaya government has set its sight on making Meghalaya the ‘Fruit Wine Capital of India’ considering the tremendous potential of the local fruit wine industry in the hill state.
This intent was conveyed by Chief Minister Conrad Sangma who launched the North East Wine Incubation Centre, the first in the region, at the campus of the Institute of Hotel Management in Mawdiangdiang on Thursday.
Sangma also said that the state government has charted out a plan to promote fruit wine industry in the state.
Speaking at the inaugural function, the CM recalled a moment when he encountered a homemade pineapple wine with a simple, handcrafted label on a beer bottle, which stemmed the idea to devise strategy to promote professional wine-making and packaging.
“Despite the unimpressive packaging, the wine inside was exceptional. This experience, combined with discussions and observations, led to the realization that there is immense potential in the fruit wine industry in Meghalaya,” Conrad added.
According to him, a robust policy has been put in place to promote a thriving ecosystem that links tourism, agriculture, entrepreneurship, and job creation through promotion of local fruit wine makers.
“This entire activity that we are trying to do, it links tourism, agriculture, and job creation. It has the potential to unlock a vast capacity that is lying dormant,” he added.
The chief minister also said that it is important to establish a proper system, policy, and support structure for local fruit wine makers. This initiative is not only aimed at boosting the wine industry but also at benefiting farmers, tourists, and entrepreneurs in the state, he added.
Sangma expects the initiative to make a huge positive difference in people’s lives, and that the wine incubation centre will provide a platform for aspiring entrepreneurs to test and utilise machinery, encourage innovation and economic growth through wine making.
Addressing concerns about licensing and accessibility for wine makers, the CM assured the public that the licensing fees would remain nominal, even as he added that the government is streamlining the registration process to facilitate ease of access for local wine makers.
In September, 2020, the state government amended the Meghalaya Excise Rules (Assam Excise Rules 1945) through a notification to legalise the production and sale of homemade wines under licence to provide a legal avenue for local winemakers to carry out wine making as a commercial venture.
This amendment was adopted with the intent OF NOT only creating an opportunity for Wine Tourism but also to provide an impetus to the horticulture sector to undertake cultivation and production of indigenous fruits on a commercial scale.
The first batch of wine appreciation and wine making certification courses were held in June-July 2023 for 68 trainees and for the second batch of 25 trainees in August 2023. A total of 93 winemakers have been trained so far with 16 of them currently undergoing internship in the winery of Hill Zill wines, Bordi, Maharashtra.
The courses have been organised by the Meghalaya Farmers’ (Empowerment) Commission or MFEC with the aim of encouraging local winemakers to transition from the traditional art of winemaking to modern winemaking techniques to ensure that the quality of wine produced in the state matches nationally and internationally recognised wine standards.
Having been actively involved in the formulation of the current policy, the MFEC has now taken on the yoke of responsibility to put animpetus not only on winemakers but also consumers and businesses to actively undertake the promotion and consumption of local fruit wines and meads in the country to ensure that Meghalaya is at the forefront of fruit wine and mead production and refinement throughout the Northeast.