ZPM procures over 1.1L quintals of ginger, expenses cross 58cr

Time of India

14-05-2025

Aizawl: The
Zoram People's Movement
(ZPM) govt has procured 1,13,627 quintals of ginger through
minimum support price
(MSP) from the farmers under its flagship programme 'Bana Kaih' or handholding scheme since Feb 20 and had incurred expenses of over Rs 58.08 crore till date.Officials of the
Mizoram Agriculture Marketing Board
(MAMB) said the state govt has allocated nearly Rs 62.60 crore for purchase of four notified crops so far, while an additional allocation of Rs 20 crore has been sought from the govt.Out of 1,13,627 quintals of ginger already procured, some amount was sold through direct purchase, while the remaining procurement was undertaken through the MSP. The state gov, through the MAMB, paid Rs 50 per kg and has so far received nearly Rs 6.35 crore in return from the sale of ginger to empanelled buyers.Export of ginger produced in Mizoram has being facing serious impediment due to the India-Bangladesh border being sealed in the wake of India and Pakistan conflict as well as Bangladesh political turmoil, chief executive officer (CEO) of Starfirm Malsawmi said on Monday.Malsawmi had said Bangladesh being the largest importer of ginger from India, stoppage of ginger trade with the trouble-torn neighbouring country made things extremely difficult for exporters and also resulting in drastic fall in ginger prices.She said the prices of ginger fall on daily basis since the India-Bangladesh border was sealed causing its price to fall to a low of Rs 28 per kg in Delhi mandi and as low as Rs 17 per kilo in Silchar and Siliguri where almost all of ginger products in Mizoram's are sold.Meanwhile, a meeting of MAMB chaired by chief minister Lalduhoma on Tuesday, discussed ginger processing, especially in the form of sliced dry ginger, which the MAMB has been working in partnership with 13 local firms.
The meeting decided to strengthen the partnership and expansion of the units of the firms. It was also deliberated on six firms from outside the state and abroad willing to invest in the Mizoram.