Nirmala Sitharaman Opens ₹32 Crore Spice Plant In Meghalaya For 5,500 Farmers

Meghalaya’s new ₹32 crore spice plant will process local crops near farms, giving 5,500 growers better storage, certified facilities and access to larger buyers.

Key Highlights
 

• On June 19, 2026, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, opened the spice processing plant in Bhoirymbong, Meghalaya.
   
• About 500 farmers started this initiative to establish a farmer-owned enterprise. The aim is to expand the enterprise to about 5,500 farmers.

On June 19, 2026, Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Finance Minister, opened the largest organic spice processing unit in Northeast India, located at Bhoirymbong in Ri-Bhoi district, Meghalaya. The unit cost approximately ₹32 crore, and would process 10,000 metric tons of ginger, turmeric, chili, and black pepper each year, Times of India said.

Also, attending the inaugural function was Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and Chief Minister of Sikkim, P.S. Tamang Golay. 5,500 farmers could soon benefit from access to storage, cleaning, drying, and packing facilities, implemented on site to assist after the harvest. However there’s a clear risk. Farmers may have to sell their produce to the traders at unfavorable terms.

What Facilities Are Available At The Meghalaya Spice Plant?

The Eastern Ri-Bhoi Organic Farmer Producer Company developed the unit under the Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region. Nearly 500 organic farmers from 9 villages had earlier formed the company through 26 Farmer Interest Groups.

The site brings several stages of work under one roof. Farmers can send fresh produce for collection, washing, drying, grinding and storage instead of transporting it to distant processors.

Cold storage is particularly useful during a heavy ginger or turmeric harvest. A grower who cannot find a buyer on the same day may now have another option besides accepting whatever price a trader offers.

How Could The Plant Help Farmers And Indian Buyers?

Much of the earning gap in agriculture appears after the crop leaves the farm. Raw turmeric sold in sacks earns one price. Dried, tested, powdered and properly packed turmeric can enter a different market altogether.

Local processing may keep more of that work, and some of the income linked to it, inside Meghalaya. Jobs may also open in driving, sorting, laboratory testing, packaging and warehouse operations.

Indian buyers may also get spices with recorded sourcing and organic certification. Meghalaya’s Lakadong turmeric is one example. Its higher curcumin content has already attracted attention, but small farmers still need stable processing and distribution channels to turn that reputation into regular earnings.

What Did Officials Say, And What Still Needs Work?

Sitharaman said projects supported by external funding should bring technology, better working systems and routes to international markets. She urged Northeast producers to process and brand local goods rather than send most crops out as raw material. The Times of India reported her remarks on June 19, 2026.

Sangma said Meghalaya is implementing externally aided projects worth more than ₹12,000 crore across infrastructure and livelihood programmes. He described the spice unit as an important step for farming families, according to The Times of India.

What Could Decide Whether Farmers Earn More?

The plant gives growers access to storage and processing, but the payment cycle still needs attention. Farmers often spend on labour, transport and packaging weeks before a large buyer clears the final invoice. That gap can push small growers towards quick sales at weaker prices.

Seasonal credit may help here. A LoansJagat explainer on priority-sector lending notes that agriculture and eligible food-processing activities can receive loans under priority-sector categories. Purchase contracts, fixed payment dates and easier working-capital access could help farmers hold their produce longer and negotiate better rates.