Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma and Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Thursday launched the popular ‘Lakadong’ turmeric in the United States through video conferencing. Lakadong is a special turmeric variety that grows in Meghalaya and an US firm has collaborated with Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) to manufacture nutraceuticals from turmeric ‘Lakadong’, a special turmeric variety that grows in India’s Meghalaya.
Speaking on the occasion, the Union Minisiter lauded the local peasants of Meghalaya assured the centre’s support towards them. He also added that central government will provide all possible aid for the progress of the agricultural sector in Meghalaya as well as other Northeastern states.
Tomar also praised the efforts and commitment of Conrad Sangma towards the rural development of the state. “Today, the fame of his own state’s turmeric has reached worldwide. More such efforts are needed and new FPOs should also be created in the state so that small and poor farmers are benefitted from such steps”, he said.
He further added that about 80 per cent of Meghalaya’s population is agri-based and they are producing many other crops including the best variety of turmeric.
He said, “India is the world’s largest producer of turmeric which contributes more than 80 per cent to global production. According to estimates for the year 2019-20, India produced 9.40 lakh tonnes of turmeric from an estimated area of 2.50 lakh hectares.India is also the world’s largest exporter of turmeric and Indian turmeric receives a premium price in the international market. About 16 to 17 per cent of the turmeric produced in India is used for export purposes including turmeric powder, curcumin powder, oil and oleoresins. Turmeric exports from India have increased considerably in the last few years. “
The specificity of the ecological condition of the state has been identified by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) which facilitate the production of turmeric of the ‘lakadong’ species with much higher cur cumin than other places in the state.
(Feature image source: The Better India)
