Shillong, June 19: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday inaugurated the Organic Spice Industrial Unit (PRIME-HUB), the largest organic spice processing plant in the Northeast, at Bhoirymbong in Ri-Bhoi district, marking a major boost for Meghalaya’s agricultural and agro-industrial sector.
The state-of-the-art facility, developed with an investment of ₹30 crore, has been established to strengthen the organic spice value chain and enhance income opportunities for farmers across the region. The project was implemented through a partnership involving the Meghalaya Basin Management Agency (MBMA), the Eastern Ri-Bhoi Organic Farmer Producer Company (FPC) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) under the Meghalaya Livelihoods and Access to Markets Project.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, senior government officials and representatives of farmer producer organisations.
Addressing the gathering, Sitharaman praised Meghalaya’s efforts in promoting organic farming and value-added agriculture, stating that the state has emerged as a model for agricultural transformation. She noted that Meghalaya’s organic spice economy enjoys a unique global advantage due to its strong foundation in nature, community participation and traditional ecological knowledge. She also highlighted the growing global demand for certified organic products, particularly ginger, and said Meghalaya is well-positioned to benefit from this expanding market.
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma described the facility as a game-changing initiative for the state’s farming community. He said the government has spent the past eight years focusing on improving farmers’ livelihoods through financial support, skill development and better market access. He informed that Meghalaya currently has 11 similar functional units, collectively benefiting around 55,000 people across the state.
The new processing unit has the capacity to handle over 10,000 metric tonnes of organic spices annually and is expected to directly benefit around 5,500 farmers from 112 villages, creating sustainable livelihood opportunities and improving market access for agricultural produce.
Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong said the facility would empower local farming communities by enabling them to process and market finished products more effectively, while also creating employment opportunities and boosting rural incomes.
Commissioner and Secretary of the Planning, Investment Promotion and Sustainable Development Department, Dr. Vijay Kumar D, said the project is expected to increase farmers’ incomes by up to 50 per cent and expand access to national and international markets. He described the initiative as a model community public-private partnership that could serve as a benchmark for export-oriented agricultural growth in the region.
The inauguration also witnessed the signing of Memorandums of Understanding between private partners and the Farmer Producer Company, including proposals for a food processing unit and continued organic certification support.
The new facility is expected to strengthen Meghalaya’s position as a leading hub for organic agriculture and reinforce the state’s efforts to promote sustainable, farmer-centric economic growth across the Northeast.
