Aizawl, May 13: The Mizoram Ginger Unique Selling Proposition (USP) Sustainable Cultivation and Value Chain Development Project, with an outlay of ₹189.78 crore, was inaugurated on Wednesday through an online programme jointly led by Chief Minister Lalduhoma and Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Jyotiraditya Scindia.
The ceremony, held at the Chief Minister’s Office under Lalduhoma’s chairmanship, was attended by Horticulture Minister C. Lalsawivunga, Adviser to the Chief Minister Dr. K.C. Lalmalsawmzauva, Chief Secretary Khilli Ram Meena, and senior officials of the Mizoram Government. Scindia joined virtually from New Delhi, while officials from the Ministry of DoNER and ginger farmers from Champhai district also participated online.
In his address, the Chief Minister noted that Mizoram ginger has been recognized by the Ministry of DoNER as a Unique Selling Proposition, leading to the approval of the project aimed at sustainable cultivation and value chain development. The initiative will cover areas such as sustainable farming practices, quality control and food safety, farm mechanization and solarisation, and post-harvest management and processing. The latter will receive gap funding support from the North Eastern Council’s Focused Development Component.
Lalduhoma emphasized that ginger has long been cultivated by the Mizo people and remains one of the state’s most important cash crops. Mizoram ginger is distinguished by its superior quality, aroma, medicinal properties, low fibre content, and high oleoresin and essential oil levels. Two varieties, Thingpui and Thinglaidum, received Geographical Indication (GI) tags in 2021, while Eurofins Analytical Services confirmed in 2025 that the crop met chemical residue standards. The recent USP recognition, he said, further strengthens its identity and market potential.
Union Minister Scindia emphasized that empowering farmers and strengthening collective participation are central to the Government’s priorities. He stated that the project would be implemented in collaboration with multiple Ministries, farmers’ societies, and the State Government, ensuring that Mizoram’s unique ginger is promoted more widely.
The project will converge with departmental schemes, with cultivation and mechanization components coordinated by the Agriculture, Horticulture, and Rural Development Departments. The processing component will be supported by ₹30.13 crore from NEC’s Focused Development Component. A major processing hub will be established at Mualkawi in Champhai district, the state’s largest ginger-producing area, while smaller spoke hubs will be set up at Tualcheng, Vaphai, and Zotlang. The main hub will be managed by larger investors, with the smaller units operated by local societies.
Infrastructure works are scheduled for completion within this year, with processing activities expected to begin next year. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Chief Secretary Khilli Ram Meena.
