A stakeholder consultation workshop on ‘Value Chain Analysis of Turmeric under One District One Product in Meghalaya State and its Future Prospects’ was organised at the KVC, Ri Bhoi, ICAR-NEH in Umiam.
A total 50 number of stakeholders attended the workshop from East Jaiñtia and West Jaiñtia Hills district, which is the study area for the research. The stakeholder from the Ri-bhoi district also attended voluntarily due to the importance of the workshop on June 20.
The Chief Guest of the one-day workshop was Dr. Ram Singh, Professor, and Head, School of Social Sciences, College of Post-Graduate Studies-Agricultural Sciences, Central Agricultural University, Imphal. Professor
Dr. Singh, who is also the first person in Meghalaya who studied the value chain analysis of turmeric, stressed on the importance of the crop in Meghalaya as well as in the Indian economy perspective and its social impact.
Principal Scientist and Nodal Officer, KVK Ribhoi, ICAR-NEH, Umiam, Dr. Mokidul Islam, put forward the nutraceutical value of turmeric and its demand-supply gap. He discussed various schemes of central govt. for the benefits of stakeholders, the need for capacity-building training, and the inclusive growth of the state.
Agricultural Marketing Officer, Department of Horticulture Canning S Shabong spoke about the existing marketing scenario of the turmeric crop. He further discussed the problem faced by the small and marginal turmeric grower and what interventions have been taken by the state department under Mission Lakadong. The area of production has been increased and also provided some implements to selected beneficiaries.
Assistant Professor, School of Social Sciences, College of Post-Graduate Studies-Agricultural Sciences, Umiam Dr Mahesh B Tengli and Dr. Pampi Paul, Scientist, Agricultural Extension Education stressed on processing, quality control, organic or agmark certification, packaging, labeling, and branding of the turmeric which are lacking in the state.
There was also an interactive session where many stakeholders asked about the turmeric value chain supply management, organic certification, reducing the logistic gap, branding, and marketing of their produce. The experts significantly answered their quarries and suggested cluster formation for better opportunities.
Dr. SRK, Varshney, IFS (R) Managing Director, Sonartari Multi-State Agro- Cooperative Society Limited, New Delhi, and Representative from the National Institute of Agricultural Marketing, Rajasthan also joined the workshop virtually.
