Shillong: In a landmark development for Meghalaya’s agricultural landscape, a state-of-the-art Bio-Curcumin extraction unit has been inaugurated in the Lashkein block of the West Jaintia Hills district. The facility, a first of its kind in the entire North Eastern region, is set to revolutionise the value chain for the prized Lakadong turmeric, renowned for its exceptionally high curcumin content.
This Rs 1.50 crore project, funded under schemes of the North Eastern Council (NEC), is a significant stride towards empowering local farmers and unlocking the global export potential of this unique spice.
The unit has the capacity to process 200 kilograms of dry turmeric daily, converting it into valuable products like oleoresin, powder, curcumin, and biocurcumin capsules. This value addition is expected to directly translate into enhanced incomes for the farmers who cultivate the turmeric in the Lakadong area. Officials highlighted that the annual income of these farmers has already seen a positive trajectory, increasing from Rs 50,000 to Rs 60,000 over the past two years. The new facility, with its advanced processing capabilities, is poised to further accelerate this growth.
With 12 direct employees, the unit is also a source of local employment. Its operations are bolstered by a robust network of 15 Collective Marketing Centres (CMCs), which includes 600 farmer members who supply raw and sliced Lakadong turmeric. The integration of these centres ensures a steady supply chain and provides farmers with a reliable market for their produce. Since its initial operations, the unit has already processed over 100 metric tonnes of raw Lakadong turmeric annually into various products. This initiative, as stated by the NEC, is a testament to the commitment to promote local value chains and build the economic resilience of farmers in the region.