The Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare (A&FW), PC Vanlalruata, inaugurated an edible oil processing plant at Falkawn, Aizawl on Friday.
The plant was established under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana. Following the inauguration, a successful trial run of the machinery was also conducted.
Addressing the inaugural programme, Vanlalruata expressed happiness at the establishment of a modern oilseed processing facility within Mizoram and extended his best wishes for its successful and sustainable growth.
He stated that the Government accords high importance to the welfare of farmers and continues to take initiatives to promote the cultivation of crops such as ginger, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, toor dal and mustard seeds, while also making efforts to facilitate suitable markets for their produce.
The Minister further stated that the Government would continue to explore all possible avenues under various schemes, including RKVY, to enable farmers to make further progress. He also highlighted the Government’s efforts to strengthen cooperative societies and said that the Government intends to increasingly focus on the processing and value addition of agricultural produce, including ginger. He reiterated that the Government remains committed to supporting farmers and addressing their needs, adding that the emergence of various processing industries would contribute significantly to the overall development of the State. He expressed the hope that such industries would provide farmers with sustainable livelihood opportunities and become a reliable source of income.
The Minister also called upon the Falkawn Village Council (VC) members present at the programme to extend their cooperation in protecting and maintaining the plant and its premises, as the facility has been established in their locality.
The building housing the processing plant was constructed under the RKVY-DPR scheme using funds allocated during FY 2021-22. The fencing was subsequently constructed using funds from FY 2022-23, while the edible oil processing machinery was procured with funds allocated during FY 2023-24.
The edible oil processing plant is equipped to process a wide range of oil-bearing crops. The Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare Department has selected the Aizawl City Oilseed Growers and Processing Cooperative Society Ltd., through a tender process, to operate and manage the plant. A five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the operation of the facility was also signed on the occasion.
