Meghalaya government launches Ginger Mission to boost production
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The Meghalaya government has launched a flagship programme, Ginger Mission, to boost the production of ginger in the state. The goal is to increase production from 60,000 mt to 1.5 lakh mt per year. The initiative is valued at Rs 121 crore.
The Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Department will use the three-year-long mission to introduce improved and high-yielding varieties of ginger like IISR Mahima, IISR Varada, and Nadia.
Farmers who attended the launch were given samples of the improved varieties of ginger samples.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma launched the flagship programme and said that it will make the state the third-largest producer of ginger in the country in the next three years. The government is also planning to create logistic hubs and storage spaces for ginger farmers. Officials will also be helping the farmers network and connect them to bigger markers and buyers.
He added that the goal is to help the farmers and improve their earnings. About 50,000 farmers in Meghalaya will be benefitted as the area dedicated to ginger production will be increased from 10,000 hectares to 12,500 hectares. He noted that the several past programme aimed at farmer's welfare did not achieve their goal.
"We have realised that 70% of the population in the state are into farming. It is incumbent on us that we introduce initiatives that directly and indirectly enable our farmers to reap its benefit, said the Meghalaya CM.
The Meghalaya government is also planning to bring the spotlight to their highly medicinal indigenous variety of ginger, Sying Makhira. "Our local variety of ginger 'Ing Makhir' also has medicinal properties. Through this mission, we would ensure its development and promotion," ensured the chief minister.