SHILONG, Feb 8:
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Thursday informed that Meghalaya has already received orders from Russia and Europe for different jackfruit products, which, he described it as a “matter of happiness and pride” for state. Speaking after inaugurating a jackfruit processing unit at Gulpani Nokat, Rongara in South Garo Hills district, Sangma said that the government endeavors opening processing units for different locally available fruits, vegetables and products.
Noting that Meghalaya has an abundance of seasonal fruits and vegetables, the Chief Minister said the people have not been able to reap economic benefits as these usually go waste. “We have started various programs on a mission mode so that farmers can double their income through value addition of their agricultural produce and the Lakadong Mission, Ginger Mission, Jackfruit Mission have also created to enhance livelihood of people in the rural areas,” Sangma informed. The jackfruit processing unit, built at a cost of about Rs 2 crores is powered by a decentralized 100 KW solar power unit thus paving the way for green and sustainable energy.
“This processing unit is perhaps one of the best processing units in the State, the design of which is featured in the prestigious Architecture Review as one of the top 15 sustainable designs globally and this unit will also serve as a community hall and a community shelter in the event of calamities,” he said. Sangma also informed that during around Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 2 lakh worth of jackfruit will be purchased daily from the public which will be then processed and packaged into different products like jackfruit chips, jackfruit flour, jackfruit jam and around 150 women will be trained and employed in the unit and the project is set to introduce more than 20 value added products derived from the exceptional jackfruit of Meghalaya.
The Chief Minister also said that the unit operated by the Rongara Agro Food Processing Cooperative Society is entirely owned by the community.
“We have a goal that this processing unit will impact nearly 5000 farmers and create employment for youth across South Garo Hills,” he stated and informed that to date 440 Integrated Village Cooperative Societies and 28 Organic Farmer Producer Organizations and Rs 78.5 crore worth agri-infrastructure have been set up across the state.
Reiterating government’s commitment to ensure better remuneration for farmers through focus on value addition and food processing, the Chief Minister said, “Over 160 micro-processing centers, including processing units for ginger, areca-nut, turmeric, jackfruit, and aromatic oil distillation, cashew, pepper and banana have been established.” (UNI )
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