From CK Nayak
NEW DELHI, July 21: Meghalaya on Tuesday launched Mission Golden Spice, a Rs 175.45-crore initiative to scale its GI-tagged Lakadong turmeric globally through expanded cultivation, processing and exports.
Jointly launched by DoNER Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia and Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, the mission aims to expand the cultivation area from 2,500 hectares to 7,000 hectares and raise output to 49,400 metric tonnes by 2030. Farmers’ income is expected to rise to Rs 80 per kg, more than double the present rate.
The mission targets a Rs 100-crore local value-chain economy by 2028-29, benefiting over 17,500 tribal farming families, mostly women, in West and East Jaintia Hills. It will create about 3,000 secondary jobs, with women projected to handle 99% of processing operations.
Lakadong turmeric is considered one of the world’s finest varieties for its high curcumin content of 7-10%, against 2-3% in ordinary turmeric. Its deep golden-yellow colour and strong earthy aroma come from Meghalaya’s red soil and climate.
Sangma said the mission marks “a strategic leap to keep greater economic value within the state by investing heavily in aggregation, cutting-edge processing, and international market access.”
Scindia called it “a golden day for a golden spice”and a hallmark of women-led development. “There is something magical about Meghalaya’s soil and the world should recognise that the pioneer and the capital of Lakadong turmeric is Meghalaya,” he said. He also noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had presented the spice at the G7 Summit.
Agriculture Minister Timothy D. Shira said the Northeast’s largest organic turmeric processing and curcumin extraction facility would be central to turning the crop into a globally competitive, women-led enterprise.
