No.537/2020-2021

Lunglei HPC Vice Chairman Pu Lawmawma Tochhawng yesterday inaugurated the first turmeric processing plant in southern Mizoram - Lungsen Turmeric Processing Plant, a joint initiative of the Horticulture, RD Department & HPC Lunglei at Lungsen. Pu L Lalhmingmawia Pachuau, Deputy Director, Horticulture Department and other District officials, Lunglei HPC Members Pu H. Lalthansanga and Pu F. Lalsawmkima accompanied the MLA from Lunglei.

Inaugurating the Lungsen Turmeric Processing Plant, HPC Vice Chairman Pu Lawmawma Tochhawng, MLA informed the gathering that HPC Lunglei, in partnership with Line Departments would continue working in earnest for farmers’ welfare across the District. He advised farmers to adopt sustainable farming practices and refrain from indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides etc. He praised and thanked the Line Departments and farmers for their hard work and dedication for the project.

The initiative is part of HPC Lunglei’s mission mode project to improve agriculture production and productivity within Lunglei District. HPC Lunglei had last year, distributed more than Rs. 4 lakhs worth of vegetable seeds to farmers in the District to help them tide over the economic crisis arising from the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Other initiatives to boost farmers’ income such as HPC Eggs, HPC Poultry Feed, SEDP Maize etc have also been recently introduced under the Agriculture, Fisheries, AH&Vety, Commerce & Industries Departments.

Initiative to set up Lungsen Turmeric Processing Plant was started by the Rural Development Department in 2014, with the purchase of an 18 HP HM15 HAMMER MILL Turmeric processing machine manufactured by PILOT INDIA, KERALA, and construction of a building under BADP Scheme to house the unit. This initiative was revived last year by HPC Lunglei & the Horticulture Department. Reiek Turmeric Growers’ Society was roped in to help in setting up the processing machine and equipping the unit with necessary accessories. Under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH)’s Low Cost Preservation Unit Scheme the unit was further equipped with Turmeric Slicing machine, utensils, Silpauline, a Digital Weighing Machine, packaging,labeling & sealing machine etc.

Lungsen Turmeric Processing Plant will be operated by the Lungsen Aieng Farming  Co - Operative Society Ltd, a society set up in 2012 with 19 members at present.