Shillong, July 21: The Meghalaya Lakadong Turmeric Integrated Development Mission, a ₹175.45-crore initiative aimed at transforming Lakadong turmeric into a globally competitive, value-added and export-oriented product, was launched on Tuesday by Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Jyotiraditya M. Scindia and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma.
The launch programme was held at Sanchar Bhavan in New Delhi and was attended virtually by participants in Shillong. The mission is jointly funded by the Ministry of DoNER, the North Eastern Council (NEC), the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, and the Government of Meghalaya.
Addressing the gathering, Scindia described the initiative as “Mission Golden Spice” and said it reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of positioning the Northeast at the centre of India’s development.
He said the mission seeks to strengthen the entire value chain by expanding processing capacity, reducing distress sales, increasing farmers’ incomes and opening new international markets for Meghalaya’s Lakadong turmeric, including the United States, the European Union, Japan and the Gulf countries.
The Union Minister also highlighted the significant contribution of women farmers, stating that the programme would further promote women-led development while creating greater economic opportunities for farming communities.
Scindia said the mission aims to increase farmers’ remuneration to ₹80 per kilogram by 2030 while expanding the area under Lakadong turmeric cultivation from about 2,500 hectares to 7,000 hectares.
He also noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s presentation of Meghalaya’s Lakadong turmeric during the recent G7 Summit had enhanced its international recognition and called for collective efforts to establish the spice globally based on its quality, authenticity, organic cultivation and sustainability.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said the Lakadong turmeric mission comes at a crucial stage for Meghalaya’s agricultural sector and would significantly accelerate growth in the state.
He said the unique soil and ecosystem of West and East Jaintia Hills produce Lakadong turmeric with exceptionally high curcumin content, making it distinct from turmeric grown elsewhere.
Sangma added that thousands of women farmers and entrepreneurs have already benefited from the state’s Lakadong turmeric initiatives and that the new mission would further strengthen production, value addition and market access.
He said the state government has already established financial and technological support systems to help farmers, self-help groups and producer organisations without the burden of traditional banking collateral requirements.
The Chief Minister expressed confidence that the programme would become a successful model that could be replicated across the Northeast.
The programme also featured interactions with progressive Lakadong turmeric farmers, including Padma Shri awardee Trinity Saioo and farmer Jhanika Siangshai, along with the screening of a documentary on the mission.
The five-year mission, covering the period from 2026 to 2030, targets West and East Jaintia Hills and is expected to benefit more than 17,500 people, with women accounting for 99 per cent of processing and institutional activities.
The project aims to achieve an annual production of 49,400 metric tonnes by 2030, positioning Meghalaya as the national and global hub for premium, organic, GI-certified Lakadong turmeric through an integrated ecosystem covering production, certification, processing, branding, value addition and exports.
