Invest India’s ODOP team was able to facilitate the first consignment of Lakadong Turmeric from Shillong, Meghalaya on 1st April, 2021 flagging off 13,146 kgs. The keynote address at the flag-off event was given by Smt. Sumita Dawra, Addl. Secretary, DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Panelists included representatives from the North East Council (NEC), Mission Lakadong (Government of Meghalaya), Directorate of Food Processing, Meghalaya, North East Slow Food and Agrobiodiversity Society (NESFAS), Lakadong farmers, entrepreneurs, buyers and other relevant stakeholders also made comments.

A video was also released to mark the event. The exercise came about as a result of Invest India’s analysis of India’s turmeric market. Despite India being the world’s largest turmeric producer and exporter, turmeric imports had been increasing. The major importers are the extraction and processing industries that require high curcumin and oleo resin. With Lakadong turmeric having the highest curcumin content, the ODOP team was able pitch its USP while resolving issues on the ground related to logistics, communication and quality assurance.