Shillong, Sept 14: Meghalaya Government is planning several measures to market the local fruit wines, because it firmly believes in its potential to push entrepreneurship and job creation in the state. One of those measures is to keep local wines at shops in tourist spots for sale, without needing a license!
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Thursday said that the Government has prepared a plan to promote fruit wine industry in the State. He said that a robust policy has been put in place to promote a thriving ecosystem that links tourism, agriculture, entrepreneurship, and job creation through the promotion of local fruit winemakers.
Speaking at the launch of North East Wine Incubation Centre at Mawdiangdiang in Shillong, the Chief Minister said, “We are hoping that in different tourist locations, in different tourist shops, even though it may not be a wine shop, but the local wines, the local wines made by our people, those wines will be accessible in certain tourist locations to the shops so that people can actually buy and take the local wines, so you’ll not need a license to actually sell local wines. So that kind of policy making is required and we are trying to talk to all the stakeholders to ensure that it is rolled out smoothly.”
He also recalled a moment when he encountered a homemade pineapple wine with a simple, handcrafted label on a beer bottle, which stemmed the idea to devise strategy to promote professional wine making and packaging. “Despite the unimpressive packaging, the wine inside was exceptional. This experience, combined with discussions and observations, led to the realization that there is immense potential in the fruit wine industry in Meghalaya,” the Chief Minister shared.
“This entire activity that we are trying to do, it links tourism, agriculture, and job creation. It has the potential to unlock a vast capacity that is lying dormant,” he added.
On comprehensive framework to promote the industry, the Chief Minister informed on the importance of establishing a proper system, policy, and support structure for local fruit winemakers. This initiative is not only aimed at boosting the wine industry but also at benefiting farmers, tourists, and entrepreneurs in the state.
“I am in public life to make a positive difference in even a single individual’s life. That is my driving force,” he said, while adding, “The activity that we are trying to do here is going to make a huge positive difference in people’s lives.”
He further envisioned to make Meghalaya the fruit wine capital of the country. He expressed confidence in achieving this goal with the collaboration of all stakeholders involved.
He hoped that the wine incubation centre will provide a platform for aspiring entrepreneurs to test and utilize machinery, encouraging innovation and economic growth through wine making.
Addressing concerns about licensing and accessibility for winemakers, he assured the public that the licensing fees would remain nominal. He also informed that the Government is in the process to streamline the registration process to facilitate ease of access for local winemakers.
The inauguration of the wine incubation centre, which is first of its kind in the entire North East, was also attended by Agriculture Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh and Excise Minister Kyrmen Shylla.
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