Farmers under a cooperative society in South West Khasi Hills district today exported 2 metric tonne of the King of Oranges—the Khasi Mandarin to Doha and Bahrain in the UAE.
This is the second time that the golden orbs locally called Soh Niamtra or Soh Myntra in Khasi is being exported from the State this year.
Farmers of Jirang in Ri-Bhoi district had exported their oranges to Dubai earlier this month.
The Directorate of Horticulture facilitating the shipment of the GI-tagged Khasi Mandarin said that these oranges were sourced from the Ardong Phlangwar Organic Producer Co-operative Society Ltd.
Formed in 2021 -22 and registered under the Cooperative Society Act, the society consists of 18 villages having 500 Ha of land with 500 farmer members. Besides the Khasi Mandarin they also grow black pepper, jackfruit and other spices for their economic growth.
The mandarin was purchased and exported by a Dubai based Retail Chain, Lulu Group International having it’s headquarter in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates.
A flag-off ceremony was organised today by the Directorate of Horticulture and attended by dignitaries from the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (INM Division) and Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) virtually.
Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region chief adviser, Dr. A.K Yadav and APEDA deputy general manager Vinita Sudhanshu flagged off the shipment virtually from Delhi office in presence of other officials along with officials from their Guwahati branch.
Director of Horticulture D Sohtun, officers at the directorate and other officers from the department across the districts attended the programme virtually.