Consultative Meeting Organised in Lunglei on Marketing of New Ginger Crop for Four Southern Districts of Mizoram

Lunglei, February 2026: A consultative meeting titled “Consultative Meeting on Thlai Thar (New Ginger) Market” was organised today at the Lunglei DC Conference Hall under the aegis of the Mizoram Agricultural Marketing Board (MAMB). The meeting was attended by members of the District Agricultural Marketing Committees (DAMCs) of the four southern districts of Mizoram—Lunglei, Siaha, Lawngtlai and Hnahthial—along with representatives of Secondary Collection Centres (SCCs) and cooperative societies. The existing reserved price (support price) for ginger marketing in Mizoram was reviewed and unanimously agreed upon.

Secretary, Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Department, Government of Mizoram and Member Secretary, MAMB, Ramdinliani, inaugurated the meeting and delivered the opening address. She stated that under the Government of Mizoram’s “Bana Kaih (Handholding) Scheme,” the government has been supporting the collection and marketing of four crops—ginger, turmeric, bird’s eye chilli and broom grass—since last year. She explained that ginger farmers were earlier compelled to sell at low prices due to distress sales, resulting in very poor returns. To enable farmers to get better prices, MAMB has fixed a minimum reserved (support) price for ginger this year. The reserved price has been determined after comparing rates in various mandis outside the state, so that buyers cannot arbitrarily depress prices.

She further informed that, in addition to fixing the reserved price, buyers are required to deposit 50% of the value as a security deposit in advance and arrange their own mesh bags for packing. While last year ginger prices did not exceed ₹30 per kg, ginger was sold at ₹30 per kg at Tipa on February 18 this year. She noted that compared to last year, a larger number of major buyers have shown interest this season. She attributed the improvement to coordinated efforts of the government, MAMB, DAMCs, SCCs, societies and ginger growers, and appreciated SCCs and farmers for following MAMB’s guidelines.

She emphasised the need to design a robust and sustainable marketing system so that even without direct government intervention in the future, a healthy market and strong cooperative societies can continue to function. As this would benefit everyone, she urged all stakeholders to make collective efforts. She also assured that the government would continue to frame policies keeping farmers’ interests in mind and advised ginger growers not to panic or resort to distress sales, as the government would continue to provide support prices.

The meeting was chaired by Navneet Mann, Deputy Commissioner, Lunglei District. David Fangzauva, Deputy Managing Director, MAMB, explained the functioning and management of Secondary Collection Centres and detailed the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for SCCs.

Among those present were Deputy Commissioners V L Hruaizela Khiangte (Siaha) and K. Vanlalruati (Hnahthial), MAMB Member Laldikkimi, and Deputy Secretary, Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Department, Lalremruati, along with DAMC members, SCC representatives and society representatives from all four districts. Detailed discussions were held on the fixation of the ginger reserved price and other important issues related to the purchase and sale of the new ginger crop. Measures to ensure clean and quality marketing of ginger were also deliberated.

The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Samuel Lalliansanga, District Agriculture Officer, Lunglei and Member Secretary, DAMC.