Manipur's Dy. CM Nemcha Launches Mission to Transform Kangpokpi into a High-Value Agri Hub

In a major push to transform the hill economy and promote turmeric cultivation as a sustainable alternative livelihood, Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen on Thursday launched a high-level workshop on "Turmeric Cultivation and Value Chain Development" at the SH-ADC Office, Kangpokpi, unveiling an ambitious roadmap to position the district as a major turmeric production and processing hub.

The workshop, organised by the Office of the Deputy Chief Minister in collaboration with the Tribal Affairs and Hills Department and experts from CSIR-Jorhat, focused on building a stronger future through turmeric cultivation and value chain development.

Addressing farmers, officials and stakeholders, Kipgen stressed that turmeric cultivation has the potential to become a game-changing economic activity capable of restoring livelihoods, strengthening rural resilience and creating sustainable prosperity in conflict-affected areas.

The initiative seeks to promote turmeric cultivation as a viable alternative livelihood while encouraging farmers to transition from illicit cultivation to legal, commercially viable agriculture. It also aims to strengthen the rural economy by developing a complete turmeric value chain—from cultivation and processing to packaging, branding and marketing.

Officials said the programme is expected to create new employment opportunities through value addition and agro-based industries while empowering farmers with improved income, market access and entrepreneurial opportunities.

The technical session was led by Dr. Mohan Lal and Dr. Jatin Kalita, Senior Principal Scientists from CSIR-Jorhat, who presented scientific strategies to develop Kangpokpi into a turmeric cultivation hub by adopting improved farming practices, quality processing techniques and market-oriented production systems.

The workshop also featured an interactive question-and-answer session, followed by discussions on an action plan, implementation strategy and a timeline for expanding turmeric cultivation across the hill districts.

Officials said the initiative forms part of a broader strategy to build a sustainable agricultural economy by promoting legal, high-value crops, encouraging rural entrepreneurship and reducing dependence on activities that undermine long-term socio-economic development.

With processing, branding, packaging and marketing integrated into the programme, the government hopes the initiative will not only enhance farmers' incomes but also establish a robust turmeric value chain capable of generating employment and attracting agro-industrial investment in Manipur's hill regions.