Centre launches ₹189 crore Mizoram Ginger Mission to boost farmer income and exports

New Delhi: In a major push to strengthen agriculture-based livelihoods and promote value-added exports from the Northeast, the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) on Tuesday launched the ₹189.79 crore Mizoram Ginger Mission aimed at developing a comprehensive ginger cultivation and value-chain ecosystem in the state.

The initiative was launched by Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya M. Scindia along with Lalduhoma.

The mission seeks to improve farmer income, reduce post-harvest losses and position Mizoram’s pharma-grade ginger in global markets through a convergence-led model involving multiple central ministries and agencies, including NABARD, ICAR, APEDA and private investors.

Addressing the launch event, Scindia said the initiative was designed to ensure farmers become active stakeholders across the agricultural value chain — from cultivation to processing, branding, packaging and exports.

Highlighting the commercial potential of Mizo ginger, the Union Minister said the crop contains 6–8 per cent oleoresin, significantly higher than the global average of around 3 per cent. However, despite its superior quality, farmers currently receive only ₹8 to ₹15 per kilogram, while processed products command much higher prices in international markets.

He said the mission aims to bridge this gap through stronger farmer-producer organisations, integrated processing facilities and better market linkages.

Under the initiative, one integrated processing hub and three spoke centres will be established, while nearly 20,000 farming households are expected to be linked to a unified value-chain ecosystem focused on traceability, quality assurance and export readiness.

Scindia described the initiative as part of the broader “Brand North East” vision, under which each northeastern state is being encouraged to promote a unique agricultural or horticultural identity. He said the government aims to position Mizo Ginger alongside other successful regional products such as Lakadong turmeric from Meghalaya, organic farming in Sikkim and Queen Pineapple from Tripura.

Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma welcomed the initiative and said the mission would open new economic opportunities for farmers by converting the state’s strength in high-quality ginger cultivation into a structured pathway for value addition and global market integration.

Secretary, MDoNER, Sanjay Jaju said the mission had been designed to address issues such as price disparity, post-harvest losses and lack of organised processing infrastructure while ensuring time-bound implementation through inter-ministerial coordination.

Farmers from Champhai district and private sector representatives also welcomed the initiative, expressing hope that the mission would help transform Mizo ginger into a globally recognised premium brand and improve livelihoods across the state.