Government-owned MSTC Limited will buy 1,000 metric tonnes of organic ginger from Manipur farmers for Rs 1.9 crore. Organic ginger farmers of Pherzawl and Churachandpur in Manipur inked a memorandum of understanding with MSTC on June 1 for supply of 1,000 metric tonnes organic ginger at Rs 19 per kg.
The deal was finalized in presence of Manipur horticulture and soil conservation minister Thounaojam Shyamkumar.
Speaking to the media persons, Shyamkumar said that as a follow up to the Ginger Festival and Business Summit held on April 20, the deal was inked with the support from the state government, including Manipur Organic Mission Agency (MOMA).
Expressing happiness that the signing of the MoU will help in generating income for the farmers in Pherzawl and Churachandpur, Shyamkumar said the horticulture and soil conservation department will also undertake such initiatives in other districts.
Mission director at MOMA, K Debadutta Sharma, said that MSTC will lift the first consignment on June 20. “Per day, around 32 kg of ginger will be procured from the farmers for a month. Once the consignment is lifted, immediate payment will be made through the account of the farmers registered in the web portal of the MSTC. Further, the products will be sold through e-auction on MSTC web portal,” he said.
Sharma added that if quality management and consistency are streamlined then there is a potential for a bigger market place in the next coming years for organic produces of the state, including turmeric, pineapple among others.
