Government Flagship Programme – Banana Cultivation under which Oranges are Being Marketed in Hnahthial District

Under the Mizoram Government’s flagship programme for banana cultivation, the marketing of oranges has now commenced in Hnahthial District, in line with similar efforts across other districts of Mizoram. With the coordination of the District Agricultural Marketing Committee (DAMC), the collection and distribution of oranges from various villages within Hnahthial District have begun through the Secondary Collection Centre (SCC). The first phase of operations is set to continue until 20th March. The dispatch of oranges from the Hnahthial Town SCC, located at the Horticulture Department Godown, was officially flagged off by Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Pu Zothanmawia Khiangte.

Hnahthial District has a total of five SCCs: Hnahthial SCC, Cherhlun SCC, Darzo SCC, Tarpho SCC, and Chhipphir SCC. In the first phase, approximately 5,250 quintals of oranges are expected to be marketed. Today, oranges from three SCCs—Hnahthial, Tarpho, and Darzo—were collected, verified by society representatives and officials, and transported towards Sairang. The remaining two SCCs, Cherhlun and Chhipphir, are scheduled to dispatch their stock tomorrow, with necessary arrangements already in place.

At Hnahthial SCC, society representatives and District Horticulture Officer Pu Lalthakima oversaw the inspection of the oranges before transportation. Similarly, at Darzo SCC, Pu George Lalnuntluanga, District Fisheries Development Officer, conducted inspections alongside society leaders. The Tarpho SCC operations were supervised by Pu M.S. Dawngliana, Member Secretary of DAMC and District Agriculture Officer.

The estimated quantity of oranges to be marketed from each SCC in this first phase is as follows:

1. Hnahthial SCC (Horticulture Complex, Hnahthial): 950 quintals
2. Darzo SCC (Venglai BCM Hall, Darzo): 1,300 quintals
3. Tarpho SCC (Tarpho Community Hall): 800 quintals
4. Cherhlun SCC (Old Potato Godown, Bethlehem Veng): 1,600 quintals
5. Chhipphir SCC (Social Welfare Godown, Chanmari, Chhipphir): 600 quintals

The government has fixed the purchase price of oranges at Rs. 50 per kilogram for the farmers. However, those wishing to market their oranges outside the SCC system will not be permitted to do so.