Mission Golden Spice Launched to Boost Lakadong Turmeric Cultivation for Over 17,500 Farmers

Shillong, India Jul 22, 2026 ALN: More than 17,500 farmers, 99 percent of them women, are set to benefit from the newly launched Rs 175.45 crore Mission Golden Spice, which is aimed at scaling up Lakadong turmeric cultivation and processing. This initiative is not just a financial investment; it represents a concerted effort to enhance agricultural practices, improve livelihoods, and promote a unique agricultural product that has the potential to capture both national and international markets.

Launched today by Union Development of North East Region (DoNER) Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia and Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, the 2026-2030 mission will focus on West and East Jaintia Hills, regions where the high-curcumin Lakadong variety is grown. The significance of this initiative lies in its potential to transform the socio-economic landscape of these areas, particularly for women who comprise the majority of the farmers involved.

Turmeric, particularly the Lakadong variety, is renowned for its high curcumin content, which is a key factor in its medicinal and culinary applications. The programme will expand cultivation from 2,500 hectares to 7,000 hectares and push production to 49,400 tonnes by 2030. This increase in scale is expected to not only meet local demands but also position Lakadong turmeric as a premium product in global markets, with farmgate prices targeted at Rs 80 per kilo, up from current rates. This price adjustment is crucial for ensuring that farmers receive fair compensation for their labor and investment.

Scindia emphasized the mission's foundation on the "innate strength of the North East," highlighting the region's rich agricultural potential and unique biodiversity. The initiative aims to help farmers avoid distress sales, which often occur when they are forced to sell their produce at low prices due to market fluctuations or poor harvests. By opening export markets in the US, EU, Japan, and Gulf countries, the mission seeks to create sustainable income streams for farmers, thereby reducing poverty and enhancing food security.

Chief Minister Sangma noted that the mission comes at a crucial time for a crop that has already transformed rural livelihoods. He stated, "The uniqueness of Lakadong comes from the soil and ecosystem of Jaintia Hills, which cannot be replicated." This assertion underscores the importance of local conditions in the cultivation of the Lakadong variety, which has proven difficult to replicate in other regions of the North East. Past attempts to grow Lakadong turmeric in other areas have failed, primarily due to a significant drop in the high curcumin content that makes this variety so sought after.

Under the scheme, the government will provide technology, infrastructure, and working capital to farmers, self-help groups (SHGs), and producer groups without collateral requirements. This aspect of the initiative is particularly noteworthy, as it aims to empower smallholder farmers who often lack access to traditional financing methods. By removing collateral requirements, the government is lowering the barriers to entry for many farmers, allowing them to invest in their operations and improve their production capabilities.

The goal is to make the region a leading producer of premium, organic, and Geographical Indication (GI)-certified Lakadong turmeric. GI certification is crucial as it protects the unique characteristics of the product associated with its geographical origin, thus adding value and authenticity to the product in the eyes of consumers.

State Focused on Lakadong Turmeric After Central Instruction

Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma emphasized that the Union DoNER Ministry has instructed all regional states to choose one product on which to focus and create a system for its overall promotion. This directive is part of a broader strategy to enhance agricultural productivity and promote regional specialties across the North East. In the case of , Lakadong turmeric has been identified as the flagship product.

Sangma reiterated that the uniqueness of Lakadong turmeric is not only tied to its high curcumin content but also to the specific climatic and soil conditions found in West and East Jaintia Hills. This specificity is critical, as it highlights the importance of local knowledge and practices in agricultural production. The government’s focus on this particular crop reflects a strategic decision to capitalize on the region's strengths and to promote sustainable agricultural practices that benefit local communities.

In addition to financial support, the government plans to fine-tune systems for providing working capital to organizations, ensuring that funds are accessible through a financial institution set up by the state. This initiative aims to alleviate the financial burdens that farmers often face, allowing them to focus on production rather than worrying about onerous banking requirements. By streamlining access to financial resources, the initiative seeks to empower farmers and encourage them to adopt more innovative and productive agricultural practices.

Scindia, meanwhile, stated that Mission Golden Spice will help the people of take Lakadong turmeric nationally and internationally. This ambition reflects a growing recognition of the potential for niche agricultural products to drive economic development in rural areas. The Union Minister stated that the approach is to ensure value chain development and strategic enterprise so that distress sales are obviated and farmer remuneration doubles by 2030. By focusing on value chain development, the initiative aims to enhance the entire production process, from cultivation to processing to marketing, ensuring that farmers receive a fair share of the profits generated from their labor.

The implications of Mission Golden Spice extend beyond immediate economic benefits for farmers. By promoting sustainable agricultural practices and enhancing the value of local products, the initiative has the potential to foster greater food security, improve health outcomes, and support rural development. Furthermore, as Lakadong turmeric gains recognition in international markets, it could serve as a model for other regions looking to promote their unique agricultural products, thereby contributing to a broader movement towards sustainable and equitable agricultural practices across India.