Chief Minister Lalduhoma chaired a meeting at the CM Conference Hall to discuss the implementation of the Ginger USP Project. The meeting was attended by PC Vanlalruata, Minister for Agriculture; F. Rodingliana, Minister for Industries; Prof. Lalnilawma, Minister for Rural Development; Advisers to the Chief Minister TBC Lalvenchhunga and Dr. KC Lalmalsawmzauva; along with senior officials. The Ginger USP Project will be implemented through convergence among around five departments. Under the project, the main ginger processing centre will be established at Mualkawi in Champhai district. In addition, three smaller processing units, or “Spoke Hubs,” will be set up at Tualcheng, Zotlang, and Vaphai to facilitate preliminary processing before the produce reaches the main centre. At the Spoke Hubs, ginger will undergo cleaning, grading, slicing, and drying. Activities that cannot be carried out at these centres, including oil extraction, branding, and other advanced processing, will be undertaken at the main processing facility at Mualkawi.
The project aims to complete installation of the machinery within this year. The processing units are planned to be operated not directly by the government but by private investors, entrepreneurs, and societies.During the meeting, detailed discussions were held regarding timelines, coordination mechanisms, and all necessary steps for successful implementation of the project. As announced earlier, the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) has selected ginger as Mizoram Unique Selling Proposition (USP). Based on this recognition, the “Project Mizoram Ginger Sustainable Cultivation & Value Chain Development” has been formulated with an estimated outlay of Rs. 189.78 crore. Out of this, the North Eastern Council (NEC) has already sanctioned Rs. 30.13 crore for establishment of the processing units.
The Sustainable Cultivation component of the project will be implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Rural Development, Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), NABARD, ICAR, and IFAD. The Ginger USP Project now being taken up marks the first phase of implementation, with the possibility of extending similar initiatives to other districts in the future.
