India's Northeast opens 10,000-tonne organic spice plant

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated Northeast India's largest organic spice processing facility in the Ri-Bhoi district of Meghalaya on Friday, June 19, 2026. The event was attended by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang.

The new facility, established by the Eastern Ri-Bhoi Organic Farmer Producer Company, represents a significant investment in the region's agricultural sector. Built with an investment of approximately 32 crore rupees, the plant is designed to process over 10,000 metric tonnes of high-value organic spices annually, including ginger, turmeric, black pepper, and chilli. It is the first organically certified spice processing unit in Northeast India, holding certifications under both the National Programme for Organic Production and EU Organic Standards, which enables direct access to premium domestic and international markets.

In her address, Finance Minister Sitharaman stated that the Northeast has the potential to become India's next engine of growth by capitalizing on its strengths in sustainable agriculture and premium organic produce. She emphasized that the future of agriculture belongs to...