From Our Special Correspondent
NEW DELHI, March 28: Tribal farmers, most of them women from a cluster of villages of West Jaintia Hills, were on Friday distributed Lakadong turmeric seeds and other agricultural inputs by SUVIDHA (Society for the Upliftment of Villagers & Development of Himalayan Areas) under its ongoing ‘LIC HFL Sangam’ project.
West Jaintia Hills district is widely recognised for its rich agricultural heritage, particularly the cultivation of Lakadong turmeric and indigenous ginger. These crops are naturally suited to the region and enjoy strong market demand due to their superior quality.
However, despite this inherent advantage, most farmers continue to sell raw produce at low prices, limiting their income potential. The absence of local processing facilities, weak branding and limited access to structured markets result in farmers not realising the true value of their produce and their incomes remain seasonal, inconsistent and vulnerable.
SUVIDHA, with the support of LIC HFL Sangam, initiated a community-based spice processing and marketing enterprise, and the farmers were distributed seeds and other inputs in a Community Meet at Madankynsaw village.
Over the past two years, the project has started a spice processing unit and sales outlets have been established. A trademark has been registered under the name ‘Raiwyn Roots’ to promote sales and build consumer trust.
Lakadong turmeric seeds are actually mother rhizomes (underground stems) used for propagation. They are considered critical because they carry the unique genetic blueprint for the world’s most potent turmeric, native only to the Jaintia Hills.
Sayan Biswas, Project Manager, SUVIDHA, said in a statement that farmers from different villages, under SUVIDHA’s initiative, have been organised into groups and built their capacity as an entrepreneur. The project started with basic systems for processing, packaging, and branding of the high-value product.
Initial participation in markets and exhibitions has started with all compliance processes, including FSSAI registration.
The programme involving the distribution of seeds began with a presentation by the project team, highlighting the activities. Key emphasis was towards promoting Raiwyn Roots and the newly inaugurated Sale Outlet in Jowai.
The team also discussed key outcomes achieved and future plans of the project along with upcoming focus areas, including strengthening market linkages and building collaborations with government departments.
SUVIDHA is a ‘national development organisation’ working across 25 states for over 20 years to support underserved communities through water stewardship, climate-smart agriculture, climate change programs, carbon mitigation, natural resource management and livelihood, focusing on women empowerment. Its work aims to reduce the impact of climate change while creating sustainable, long-term livelihood opportunities.
