Aizawl: Mizoram CM Lalduhoma on Tuesday inaugurated the Mizo Ginger USP Mission Projects , the price support scheme for arhar (tur), sesame, and sunflower, at the National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL) Ginger Export Awareness Workshop at the youth recreation centre in Falkland locality on the northern outskirts of Aizawl.In his address, the CM said ginger remains one of Mizoram’s most important crops and has been identified as the state’s unique selling proposition (USP) under the DoNER. While Mizoram ginger is smaller in size, its exceptional quality and pharmaceutical-grade standards give it a strong competitive advantage. He emphasised the need to move beyond selling raw ginger and focus on processing and value addition to increase farmers’ income and ensure sustainable cultivation practices.He said the state govt, with support from the DoNER, has launched a sustainable cultivation and post-harvest management project. Under the project, four modern ginger processing units are being established in Champhai district, the state’s largest ginger-producing district, with financial support of Rs 30.13 crore from the DoNER. The initiative is expected to benefit around 20,000 ginger-growing households and generate about 100 jobs. He expressed gratitude to Union Minister for DoNER Jyotiraditya Scindia for the support.The CM further said the govt aims to position Mizoram ginger in national and international markets by leveraging its superior quality and GI tag status. Plans are also underway to develop high-value products such as ginger oil and other processed ginger products. To strengthen export readiness, NCEL has been engaged to provide training and awareness on export procedures and market access.Highlighting support for farmers, the CM announced the implementation of the PM-AASHA price support scheme in Mizoram for arhar, sesame and sunflower from the current harvest season. The MSP has been fixed at Rs 84.5 per kg for arhar, Rs 103.46 for sesame and Rs 83.43 per kg for sunflower.Procurement will be undertaken by the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED), in collaboration with the Mizoram Agricultural Marketing Board (MAMB), through designated collection centres. Payments will be made directly to farmers’ bank accounts through the direct benefit transfer (DBT) system, ensuring transparency and eliminating intermediaries.The CM said, in addition to the crops already covered under the state govt’s MSP initiatives, three more crops are now receiving price support through the Centre, providing further assurance and market security to farmers. He urged all stakeholders to work together to ensure the success of the projects and programmes launched on Tuesday.The programme was attended by around 250 participants, including farmers, representatives of farmer producer organisations (FPOs), cooperative societies and officials from various districts. The inauguration was followed by the NCEL Ginger Export Awareness Workshop.8.
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