SHILLONG, JUL 8: Meghalaya will buy 3.972 acres of land for Rs 1.7 crore at Thad Muthlong in Laskein Block, West Jaintia Hills, for the setting up of the Integrated Lakadong Turmeric Processing Plant.

The approval was given by the Cabinet during a meeting chaired by the Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Wednesday.

“This particular land was identified for the Integrated Lakadong Turmeric Processing Plant to be set up. The decision has been made to purchase 3.972 acres at a cost of Rs 1.7 crore,” Sangma told reporters.

He said the project is part of the Centre’s initiative under the DoNER Ministry for each North Eastern state to promote one key product.

“As you are aware, the Government of India’s DoNER Ministry has asked every state in the North East to pick up one product and to promote it. In consultation with the DoNER Ministry, turmeric was the product that was selected for Meghalaya,” the CM said.

The total project cost has been pegged at Rs 187 crore, with central ministries funding the bulk of it.

“The total project cost of Rs 187 crore has been finalized, out of which the DoNER Ministry and the Agriculture Ministry are giving the majority amount. Exact figures are there with me, but close to 70-80% is coming from them. And about Rs 30-Rs 35 crore is being invested by the state government,” Sangma said.

He added that land acquisition was critical to move the project forward.

“But for that process to take forward, land is required to set up this Integrated Lakadong Turmeric Processing Plant,” he said.

Sangma said Lakadong turmeric has strong global demand and the plant will create opportunities for farmers.

“This, of course, is in line with the fact that turmeric is a product that is in high demand throughout the world. It is one of the USPs that we have, and we have been promoting this product a lot. We feel that there is a huge opportunity for the state, especially for the farmers,” he stated.

The Chief Minister also linked the plant to the state’s ongoing efforts.

“This is also in line, as I said, with this entire mission mode that the Government of India has decided with the DoNER Ministry, which goes in line, of course, with the Lakadong Turmeric Mission that we had started six years back,” Sangma said.