Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday said the northeast has the potential to become India’s next growth engine by leveraging its strengths in sustainable agriculture.
She is in Meghalaya to inaugurate the northeast’s largest organic spice processing plant at Bhoirymbong in Ri Bhoi district.
The landmark facility, established by the Eastern Ri Bhoi Organic Farmer Producer Company, is designed to process 10,346 metric tonnes of spices annually and is expected to directly benefit 5,500 organic farmers across the region.
“Northeast has the potential to become India’s next growth engine by leveraging its strengths in sustainable agriculture and organic produce," Sitharaman said.
“We believe that investments in value addition, aggregation and processing can transform smallholder agriculture into a sustainable and commercially viable sector in the region," she said.
The spice processing plant will process turmeric, black pepper and other spices, making it the largest organic spice processing hub in the region.
Agreements with private-sector partners are also scheduled to be signed to support marketing and long-term commercial operations.
The finance minister will later attend the inaugural session of the conference on “Leveraging Externally Aided Projects (EAPs) in the North-Eastern States” in Shillong.
A coffee table book documenting Meghalaya’s externally aided projects journey will also be released.
On June 20, Sitharaman will interact with students of Kiang Nangbah Government College in Jowai and inaugurate the Jowai–Nartiang–Kdiap–Khanduli road project at Wahiajer Football Stadium in Meghalaya.
She is also scheduled to meet farmers and artisans associated with Meghalaya’s GI-tagged products and interact with black clay pottery artisans in Larnai village, known for preserving a traditional craft passed down through generations.
The Meghalaya government said the visit reflects the Centre’s continued support for the state’s development initiatives. It also noted that Meghalaya had fully utilised its Rs 5,400 crore allocation under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment scheme, placing it among the country’s top-performing states.
Officials said the engagements are aimed at strengthening infrastructure, livelihoods and market access while promoting sustainable development across Meghalaya.
