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The Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) launched Mission Golden Spice, an integrated Lakadong Turmeric Value Chain Enhancement Project to promote turmeric cultivation and strengthen the value chain in Meghalaya.

About Mission Golden Spice

Mission Golden Spice is a convergence-led initiative aimed at enhancing the production, processing, branding, and marketing of Lakadong Turmeric while improving farmers' incomes and promoting sustainable agriculture in Meghalaya.

It is anchored by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) and the North Eastern Council (NEC), with a five-year implementation period (2025–2030).

The mission will be implemented in two phases:

• Phase I: Value Chain Strengthening
• Phase II: Expansion and Scale-up

The initiative adopts a multi-agency approach by converging the schemes and interventions of the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Ministry of Commerce, APEDA, Spices Board, National Turmeric Board, ICAR, MeitY, NABARD, SFAC, and the Government of Meghalaya.

About Lakadong Turmeric

Lakadong Turmeric is a premium turmeric variety primarily cultivated in the Lakadong region of the Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya.

It is renowned for its exceptionally high curcumin content (7–12%), significantly higher than ordinary turmeric varieties. It is naturally darker in colour and is grown organically without chemical fertilisers.

The product received the Geographical Indication (GI) Tag in 2024.