IANS | 13 Dec, 2023
Meghalaya has exported 20 metric tons of Khasi Mandarin to Dubai, officials said on Tuesday.
State
Agriculture Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh said that at one point of time,
the state would, only on a trial, internationally export 1.5 MT to 2 MT
of mandarin and "today we are talking of 20 MT".
"This step will
instill a sense of security with our farmers telling them that we will
grow together, we will benefit together," she said adding that the
farmers are going to be dictating our economy.
"The next biggest
challenge that we have before us which we have to handhold all our
farmer groups is to get back to natural farming practices. The Organic
Mission needs to be attended to. We have to reclaim our confidence in
the farming communities. We will do what it takes to sensitise, educate,
expose, and financially assist our farmers,” Lyngdoh said.
Agriculture
Secretary Isawanda Laloo said that Meghalaya’s unique agro-climatic
condition reflects in that the state has a huge array of variable
fruits, and crops, and "we want to capitalise on these".
"Given
that many of our farmers still cultivate in the traditional way, there
is huge opportunity for us to capture the growing organic consumer-based
market in the entire world," she added.
Agricultural and
Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) Deputy
General Manager and northeast in-charge Sunita Rai said that she hoped
that in the days to come, "from 20 MT, we can sustain commercial
shipment. We should be proud of some other local fruits which we aim to
popularise".
Senior General Manager, Lulu Group International,
Ravi Kumar said that last year hardly one ton of Khasi Mandarin from
Meghalaya was promoted and this year, 20 tons of Khasi Mandarin is being
exported.
"I am expecting at least one more zero would be added
next year because zero does not have value but if we put it in the right
place, we can have a lot of value. Automatically, the dollars will come
to Meghalaya state and the lifestyle of the farmers will increase," he
said.
In a significant stride towards sustainable market linkage,
the Agriculture Marketing Board entered a MoU with the Lulu Group on
November 3.This strategic partnership aims to foster mutual growth and
promote Meghalaya's agricultural products in the GCC countries,
expanding global reach.