Aizawl, Jun 2 (PTI): Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma on Tuesday launched the Mizo Ginger Unique Selling Proposition (USP) mission project and a price support scheme for certain crops, including arhar, sesame and sunflower, to boost the state’s agricultural economy.
He rolled out the initiatives during a Ginger Export Awareness Workshop organised by National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL) in Aizawl.
Speaking on the occasion, Lalduhoma revealed the recognition of ginger, which is one of Mizoram’s most important cash crops, as the state’s Unique Selling Proposition (USP) under the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER). Though smaller in physical size than commercial varieties grown elsewhere, the superior quality and pharmaceutical-grade standards of Mizoram’s organic ginger give it a distinct advantage in domestic and international markets, he said. Lalduhoma emphasised the urgent need to move beyond selling raw ginger and focus on processing and value addition to increase farmers’ income and ensure sustainable cultivation practices.
According to the chief minister, the state government has launched a sustainable cultivation and post-harvest management project with the support of the DoNER Ministry.
Under the project, four modern ginger processing units are being established in East Mizoram’s Champhai district, the state’s largest ginger-producing region bordering Myanmar.
The project, which was launched with a Rs 30.13 crore financial support from the DoNER Ministry, is expected to benefit around 20,000 ginger-growing farmers and generate about 100 jobs, he said. Lalduhoma said the government is working to position Mizoram ginger in national and global markets by capitalising on its superior quality and Geographical Indication (GI) status. Plans are also underway to develop high-value products such as ginger oil and other processed ginger-based commodities, he said.
To strengthen export readiness among farmers and producer groups, the government has partnered with National Cooperative Exports Limited to conduct training and awareness programmes on export procedures and market access, he said.
The chief minister also announced the implementation of the PM-AASHA Price Support Scheme in Mizoram for arhar (tur), sesame and sunflower from the current harvest season.
The Minimum Support Prices (MSP) have been fixed at Rs 84.50 per kg for arhar, Rs 103.46 per kg for sesame and Rs 83.43 per kg for sunflower.
Procurement will be carried out by the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) in collaboration with the Mizoram Agricultural Marketing Board through designated collection centres, according to officials.
The event was attended by Assembly Speaker Lalbiakzama, Agriculture Minister PC Vanlalruata, Horticulture Minister C. Sawivunga and about 250 participants, including farmers, representatives of Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), cooperative societies and officials from various districts.
