Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurates Northeast’s largest spice processing plant in Meghalaya

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday (June 19, 2026) inaugurated the largest organic spice processing plant in northeast India at Lumdaitkhla in Meghalaya’s Ri-Bhoi district.

Established by the Eastern Ri-Bhoi Organic Farmer Producer Company, the facility has an annual processing capacity of 10,000 metric tonne of spices. It is expected to directly benefit around 5,500 organic farmers across the eastern part of Ri-Bhoi district.

The multipurpose unit is equipped to process turmeric, black pepper, and a variety of other spices.

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and his Sikkim counterpart Prem Singh Tamang attended the inauguration ceremony along with other Ministers, MLAs, and officials.

MoUs signed

Several memoranda of understanding (MoUs) were signed with different companies during the event to strengthen market linkages and create sustained business opportunities for farmers and producer groups.

Commending the efforts of the farmer producer organisation, Ms. Sitharaman hoped Ri-Bhoi would soon move beyond its aspirational district status and emerge as a model district for the rest of the country. “The achievements of Ri-Bhoi district are of a remarkably high standard,” she said.