FM Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurates Northeast’s largest organic spice unit in Meghalaya
Jun 19, 2026
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday inaugurated the Northeast’s largest organic spice processing unit at Bhoirymbong in Ri-Bhoi District, alongside Conrad K. Sangma and Prem Singh Tamang.
The facility, established under the Eastern Ri-Bhoi Organic Farmer Producer Company Limited and promoted through the Government of India’s Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCD-NER), has been developed at an investment of around ₹32 crore.
With an annual processing capacity of more than 10,000 metric tonnes, the unit will handle a range of organic spices, including ginger, turmeric, black pepper and chilli. It is the first organically certified spice processing facility in the Northeast, having received certification under the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) and EU Organic Standards, enabling access to premium domestic and international markets.
Addressing the gathering, Sitharaman highlighted Meghalaya’s growing prominence in organic agriculture and noted the increasing global demand for the state’s high-quality produce, including Lakadong turmeric, which received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2024.
The leaders said the initiative would strengthen farmer-owned enterprises, promote value addition, improve market linkages and enhance rural livelihoods. They added that the project represents a major step towards boosting the region’s organic agriculture sector and creating sustainable economic opportunities for farmers across the Northeast.
The inauguration is being seen as a significant milestone in Meghalaya’s efforts to emerge as a leading hub for premium organic agriculture while improving the competitiveness of farmer-producer organisations in domestic and global markets.
