SHILLONG, July 26: For decades, Lakadong turmeric has been one of Meghalaya’s most prized agricultural products, earning a reputation for its exceptionally high curcumin content, yet many farmers have continued to grapple with low returns, inadequate processing facilities and limited market access.
The newly launched Mission Golden Spice aims to change that situation by creating a complete value chain—from cultivation and processing to branding and exports—ensuring that farmers retain a greater share of the value of their produce.
Launched in New Delhi by Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya M. Scindia in the presence of Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, the five-year Rs 175.45 crore project aims to establish Meghalaya as the global hub for premium, GI-tagged Lakadong turmeric. It is expected to benefit over 17,500 farming households, with women accounting for the majority of beneficiaries.
Those who have witnessed the journey of Lakadong turmeric from its early days believe that the mission could become a turning point for the farming community.
Talking to The Shillong Times, Padma Shri awardee and Lakadong turmeric pioneer Trinity Saioo, who has spent years promoting the crop and organising farmers, viewed the mission as an opportunity to inspire more cultivators to expand production.
According to her, one of the biggest advantages of the programme is the provision of free planting materials, which will help farmers who cannot afford quality seed rhizomes.
She welcomed the government’s plan to establish more Common Machinery Centres and provide modern equipment, pointing out that most farmers still depend on labour-intensive manual methods for cultivation and processing.
Saioo believed that the proposed curcumin extraction plant and modern processing facilities would allow farmers to move beyond selling raw turmeric and earn higher returns through value addition.
She, however, observed that while the government’s target of ensuring Rs 80 per kilogram for fresh Lakadong turmeric is encouraging, the market will ultimately determine prices. Drawing from her experience, she noted that sustained demand and stronger market linkages will be crucial for farmers to realise better prices.
Saioo believed that the mission has the potential to create a stronger Meghalaya brand for Lakadong turmeric by enabling local entrepreneurs to process and market the product beyond the state and overseas.
She added that women, who have traditionally led Lakadong turmeric cultivation, stand to benefit significantly through improved income opportunities and expanded support under the mission.
Project Officer for Mission Lakadong, Demandson Lyngdoh, said the department had already begun implementing key components of the programme.
Land has been acquired for the Centralised Organic Processing Unit, while farmer registration for area expansion and identification of Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and cooperative societies is under way.
He said the mission would expand Lakadong turmeric cultivation from the existing 2,500 hectares to 7,000 hectares by 2030, covering both West and East Jaintia Hills. Farmers enrolled under the programme will receive free planting materials, bio-inputs for pest and disease management, support for organic certification and training in improved cultivation techniques.
Lyngdoh said the project goes beyond increasing production. By investing in processing infrastructure, curcumin extraction, better post-harvest management and stronger export linkages, the mission seeks to create sustained demand for Meghalaya’s premium turmeric.
He further stated that FPOs would play a central role in operating processing units, warehouses and other facilities, ensuring that small and marginal farmers benefit from better aggregation, value addition and marketing. According to him, these interventions are expected to improve farmgate prices and open new export opportunities, particularly in European and other international markets.
For both Saioo and Lyngdoh, Mission Golden Spice represents more than an agricultural project. It is an opportunity to shift Lakadong turmeric farming from a traditional livelihood activity to a modern, value-driven enterprise capable of generating higher incomes and long-term economic security for farming families across Meghalaya.
