Shillong, July 8: The state Cabinet has cleared the proposal to buy 3.972 acres of land at Thad Muthlong, Laskein Block in West Jaintia Hills for setting up an Integrated Lakadong Turmeric Processing Plant.
Informing this after chairing the meeting, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said the project is being taken up under the Centre’s directive for each Northeastern state to identify and promote one priority product.
“In consultation with the DoNER Ministry, turmeric was the product that was selected for Meghalaya,” he said.
The CM said the processing plant will be set up at an estimated cost of Rs 187 crore, with central support covering most of it.
“The total project cost of Rs 187 crore has been finalized, out of which the DoNER Ministry and the Agriculture Ministry are giving the majority amount. Exact figures are there with me, but close to 70-80% is coming from them. And about Rs 30-Rs 35 crore is being invested by the state government,” Sangma said.
To take the project ahead, the Cabinet approved the acquisition of land at Rs 1.7 crore.
“But for that process to take forward, land is required to set up this Integrated Lakadong Turmeric Processing Plant,” he said.
“This particular land was identified for the Integrated Lakadong Turmeric Processing Plant to be set up. The decision has been made to purchase 3.972 acres at a cost of Rs 1.7 crore.”
Sangma said Lakadong turmeric holds strong market potential and the plant will benefit farmers directly.
“This, of course, is in line with the fact that turmeric is a product that is in high demand throughout the world. It is one of the USPs that we have, and we have been promoting this product a lot. We feel that there is a huge opportunity for the state, especially for the farmers,” he stated.
He added that the new facility will also strengthen an existing state initiative.
“This is also in line, as I said, with this entire mission mode that the Government of India has decided with the DoNER Ministry, which goes in line, of course, with the Lakadong Turmeric Mission that we had started six years back,” the Chief Minister said.
