Mendipathar, Aug 13: In a continued effort to support the farmers of the state have a sustainable livelihood and enhance their earnings, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Tuesday inaugurated North East India’s biggest Oyster Mushroom processing plant at Mendipathar in North Garo Hills.
Launching the Oyster Mushroom Cluster at Mendipathar in North Garo Hills, the CM said it will benefit close to 1000 farmers in the first phase.
The facility has been constructed at a cost of Rs. 10 crores, and aims to encourage mushroom cultivation. Mushroom will be dried, powdered, and packaged and branded for export in the facility.
The project is being implemented by the Mendipathar Multipurpose Cooperative Society, led by Sister Rose, and is funded by the SFRUTI scheme from MSME, with viability gap funding of Rs. 3 crore from the state government.
Speaking on the occasion, the CM said that the demand for mushrooms is increasing worldwide, and the establishment of such a unit will be rewarding for farmers. He stated that the government has been initiating various programs to support farmers.
Encouraging farmers to take up mushroom cultivation, he said the government will provide training and support to interested individuals and organizations.
“We all know the intention of the Government. It is to ensure that the farmers of the state can have better opportunities, a better livelihood to sell their farm produce at a better price, to find a market for their produce. The reason these processing units are being set up is because our farmers grow farm produce but could not sell them on time for a good price. So, as to change all this scenario, the State Government in collaboration with the Centre Government is working for the betterment of the farmers,” the CM Sangma said.
He also informed that there is a plan to set up 375 Processing Plants and Units in Meghalaya. From Micro Processing Units to Large Processing Units, Rs 320 Crores is estimated by the State Government.
“Mushroom demand is high not only in Meghalaya but also in other cities as well as other international countries. This is the first-of-its-kind Processing Unit in the North East region. This Processing Plant can be run by Solar energy,” he further informed.
Citing examples, Sangma spoke about Siju Rongara area that have Jackfruit Processing Unit where “Awang Chips” are being produced as well as Tikkrikilla area that have a processing plant that produces “Nokma Ice-Cream”.
During the program, he also flagged off pickup vehicles and barrels that will be used to collect rubber. He noted that the North and East Garo Hills region is engaged in large-scale rubber production, and the government will support value addition, enabling farmers to earn higher incomes.
A rubber Cinx Unit was also allocated to the Mendipathar Multipurpose Cooperative Society.
During the program, Deputy Commissioner of North Garo Hills, A K Singh, informed that the project has been technically supported by the Madhukar Livelihood Foundation, New Delhi, with Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship Guwahati (IIEG) and implemented by Mendipathar Multipurpose Cooperative Society (MLCS). The project aims to support tribal smallholder farmers from more than 23 villages in the Resubellpara block, North Garo Hills district to secure a sustainable food production system by addressing mother and child children’s nutritional deficiency.
Moreover, Singh highlighted that the NFCS is not only a trademark but GST, FSSAI GS1 registered has been applied for gluten-free, Halal and Kosher Certification and is also enlisted with Amazon and Flipkart for online sales, further enhancing its market reach and credibility.
Mentionably, Meghalaya has earmarked Rs. 62.37 crore for Mushroom Mission for five years.
Notably, this is the fifth functional Centre in the state, joining other agro-based clusters in Cane & Bamboo Cluster Selsella, West Garo Hills, Nonglang Agro Cluster, South West Khasi Hills, Sohpoh Agro Cluster, West Jaintia Hills, Umdiar Agro Cluster, Ri Bhoi and Wapungskur Agro Cluster, North Garo Hills. These clusters focus on agri-based products and handicrafts like bamboo and cane baskets, trays, containers, and shopping bags.
Also Read: Victims turn out to be masterminds behind stolen TMT bars worth Rs. 10 lakhs in Meghalaya
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