Sairang, Jan 14: Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma inaugurated the Ginger Processing Unit at the Sairang Horticulture Centre on Tuesday, established under the Handholding Scheme of the Mizoram Agricultural Marketing Board (MAMB). Horticulture Minister C. Lalsawivunga attended as the Guest of Honour.

Speaking at the event, the Chief Minister expressed satisfaction that long-standing aspirations for the state’s agricultural sector are gradually being realized. He praised the efforts of MAMB and the Horticulture Department in setting up the processing unit, highlighting that Mizoram, traditionally an agrarian state, is now gaining recognition as the “Ginger Capital of India” due to farmers’ hard work. He also noted the potential of passion fruit cultivation and said efforts would be made to promote it on a larger scale.

The Chief Minister announced that ginger procurement will resume from February 2. Locally produced machines for slicing and drying ginger will be placed at collection centres to assist farmers. He emphasized the importance of organic farming as a competitive advantage for Mizoram and stressed transparency and fairness in procurement following irregularities reported last year. Farmers were urged to utilize collection centres to ensure systematic procurement.

The processing unit, managed by Good Faith of Saron Veng under a five-year MoU with MAMB, was set up at a cost of ₹71 lakh, including a solar-based drying system capable of processing 2,000 kg at a time. Officials noted that the unit has undergone successful trial runs and is operational.

The inauguration was attended by local MLA TBC Lalvenchhunga, Adviser to the Chief Minister Lalchhuanthanga, and several officials. Ramdinliani, Secretary of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, chaired the event, stressing the importance of processing facilities given the absence of major local markets.