Tura, July 4: Garo Hills organic produce is going global and farmers from South West Garo Hills are turning exporters as the region’s much sought after “black gold”, better known as black pepper, makes its way into India’s city with a booming economy- Mumbai.
On Thursday evening, farmers from South West Garo Hills (SWGH) district made another farming history by successfully shipping 10 metric tons of black pepper to Mumbai.
Facilitated by the Kerupara and Dingampara Integrated Village Cooperative Societies (IVCS) under Zikzak block, the consignment departed from the Chapahati Prime Hub, destined for Sundardas Ratansey Spice Pvt Ltd.
Supported by the Meghalaya Livelihoods and Access to Markets Project (M-LAMP) and the Meghalaya Basin Development Authority (MBMA), the cooperatives collected 10 metric tons of black pepper from local farmers to make this agriculture success.
Kerupara IVCS contributed 6,600 kg, priced at Rs. 640 per kg, while Dingampara IVCS supplied 3,400 kg at Rs. 610 per kg due to slightly lower quality, as determined by quality assessments.
This marks the district’s second major black pepper shipment to Mumbai, following an 11-ton dispatch in 2023 by Dimiligre IVCS Ltd., also under Zikzak block, with MBMA’s support.
The latest effort was coordinated by Deputy Commissioner Hema Nayak, who ensured smooth operations, alongside the Am’beng Farmers & Producers Association, which mobilized farmers, and MBMA Marketing Executive Bravantyo K. Marak, who maintained consistent communication with buyers.
According to Grikseng Ch. Marak, District Project Manager, MBMA, the black pepper from SWGH will be processed by Everest Masala & Everest Food Products, a renowned manufacturer and exporter of ground spices under the Everest brand, as confirmed by Sundardas Ratansey Spice Pvt Ltd Directors Satish Dharamsey Pallicha and Kalind Satish Pallicha.
The success of this export project has encouraged many other SHGs and cooperative societies of Garo Hills to up their ante as demand for organic Garo Hills produce grows across the country’s markets and beyond.
