Assam-based organization Lauhitya Livelihood Pvt Ltd has collaborated with the Meghalaya Basin Development Authority to train farmers across three districts of the state to grow green ginger suitable for export markets and help them realize better prices. “A leading Belgian retailer in fresh vegetables and spices has expressed interest in buying the bigger and less-fibrous Nadia variety of ginger produced in Meghalaya. In this regard, a team from the European company will visit our facilities in Assam and Meghalaya by the end of this month for product verification,” According to Shri Manash Chaliha, Managing Director of Lauhitya Livelihood.
The Belgian company has engaged Organic Majuli, the primary brand of Lauhitya, in a supply contract for 52 containers (20 tonnes each) of green ginger throughout the year with a shipment of one container every week. “The first shipment is expected to start in November. At the moment, we cannot disclose the name of the Belgian company, which previously sourced the spice from China,” Chaliha said.
Green ginger is cultivated during December and March.
The exportable variety is sold for Rs 35 per kg in the market. “The price may however vary with demand-supply fluctuations,” he added.
The entrepreneur said around 1,000 farmers in Ri-Bhoi, West Khasi Hills and Jaintia Hills have so far been trained in Organic Majuli’s farm at Khetri.
“There have been instances of farmers losing interest for lack of follow-up after undergoing training programmes organized by Government Departments. We try to plug this gap and help them add value to products for the export market,” he said.
Organic Majuli has already provided samples of green ginger to the Belgian retailer.
“A brief description of the process from harvesting to packaging of the products will also be provided to the client,” Chaliha said.
“We have proposed to stock the required quantity for the lean period in cold storages which can be shipped throughout the year,” Chaliha said.
The firm has already supplied the variety to states like West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra besides exporting it to West Asian countries.
One of the fastest growing organic farming companies since 2014, Organic Majuli specialises in spices, crops and vegetables in Assam and Meghalaya. Lakadong ginger
As it is, farmers from Laskein block in West Jaintia Hills have since 2016 been undergoing training in Lakadong turmeric cultivation at the firm’s Khetri facility.
