Mission Golden Spice Launch for Meghalaya's Lakadong Turmeric
Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, together with Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, launched the "Mission Golden Spice – Integrated Lakadong Turmeric Value Chain Enhancement Project" on July 21, 2026. This ₹175.45-crore convergence-led initiative is designed as a phased, five-year roadmap (2025–2030) for turmeric cultivation and value-chain development in Meghalaya, focusing on the state's GI-tagged Lakadong Turmeric.
The Mission will be implemented in two phases: Value Chain Strengthening (Phase 1) followed by Expansion & Scale-up (Phase 2). It aims to address major structural gaps in the sector including post-harvest losses, lack of integrated cold chain infrastructure, absence of commercial-scale processing facilities, weak branding, and lack of structured GI monetisation systems. Currently, smallholder growers receive limited income (₹30–40 per kg) despite the turmeric's exceptionally high curcumin content (7–10%), distinctive aroma, and strong nutraceutical potential.
Key objectives include nearly doubling farmers' remuneration to approximately ₹80 per kg by 2030 while expanding the area under cultivation from around 2,500 hectares to nearly 7,500 hectares. The Mission will establish the northeast's largest integrated organic turmeric processing and curcumin extraction facility. Lakadong turmeric's curcumin content is nearly four times the world average, and attempts to cultivate it outside Meghalaya have consistently led to declined curcumin content, highlighting the region's unique agro-climatic conditions.
The initiative is anchored by MDoNER and the North Eastern Council (NEC) with convergence support from multiple ministries and agencies including Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Food Processing Industries, Commerce, APEDA, Spices Board, National Turmeric Board, ICAR, MeitY, NABARD, SFAC, and the Government of Meghalaya. The Mission places women at the center of farmer institutions and enterprises, recognizing their extraordinary role in turmeric production and processing.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently showcased Meghalaya's Lakadong turmeric at the G7 Summit, generating strong interest among world leaders. The Mission represents part of the "Ashtalakshmi" vision for India's eight northeastern states, with each state developing a unique selling proposition through a "bottom up as opposed to top down" approach. Meghalaya plans to replicate this model for other products including pineapple, ginger, jackfruit, honey, and mushrooms.