From Mizo ginger to Nagaland’s coffee, here’s how govt plans to make Northeast as ‘Ashtalakshmi’ for world

Jyotiraditya Scindia highlighted the different strengths of the Northeastern states, explaining how each region brings a unique identity to the world. Citing initiatives such as Mizo Ginger Mission, Naga Coffee Mission, Arunachal Kiwi Mission, Assam Muga Silk Senehjori Mission, Tripura Queen Pineapple Mission, Sikkim Organic Food Mission, Manipur Polo and Meghalaya Lakadong Turmeric, he highlighted how these flagship missions are taking the region’s indigenous strengths to global markets.

How does the government plan to make the world’s Northeast ‘Ashtalakshmi’?

Mizoram
The Center has launched Mizoram Ginger Mission, a ₹189.79 crore convergence-oriented initiative focusing on ginger cultivation and value chain development in the state, officials said. The project was jointly announced virtually by Union DoNER Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia and Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma. It will be implemented under the Ministry of Development of the North-East Region (DoNER). Scindia highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s focus on ensuring that farmers become key stakeholders in the agricultural value chain from “farm to fork”.
assam
Union DonER Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia virtually launched Mission Muga Silk ‘Senehjori’, a ₹411 crore project aimed at transforming Assam’s iconic Muga silk industry. The initiative is expected to empower more than 2.5 lakh weavers and entrepreneurs associated with Muga silk production. Scindia described this as a step that will strengthen Assam’s “golden thread”, increase value addition, quality and global competitiveness. He said the mission aims to take Muga silk “from the farm gate to the foreign shore”.

Arunachal Pradesh

Union DoNER Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia launched Arunachal Kiwi Mission, a cluster-based initiative aimed at increasing kiwifruit cultivation, production, marketing and value chain development in the state. The mission, which has an outlay of approximately ₹167 million, is a convergence-oriented program under the DoNER Ministry, integrating support from multiple ministries and institutions, including NABARD, ICAR-CITH, APEDA, NERAMAC and private investors.
Nagaland
Union DoNER Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has launched a kiwi cultivation-focused mission aimed at strengthening production and value chain development in Nagaland as part of broader Northeast agriculture initiatives. The program follows a convergence-oriented model that brings together central ministries, agricultural institutions and private stakeholders to improve output, marketing and farmer incomes.sikkim
The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) announced financial support to Sikkim and highlighted that the state is a model for sustainable development, organic agriculture and eco-friendly growth. Union DoNER Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia in his message said that Sikkim has emerged as a leading example of ecological management, responsible tourism and organic farming under the Centre’s Eastern Act vision.

tripura
Mission Queen Pineapple, a three-year transformative initiative with an outlay of ₹236 crore, has been launched in New Delhi, Tripura. The project was jointly inaugurated by Union DoNER Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha and state Agriculture Minister Ratan Lal Nath. Nath said Tripura is a country of hills and valleys, about 70% of its geographical area is covered with hills and hillocks locally known as ‘Tilla’, while the remaining 30% consists of flat lands.
MeghalayaThe Meghalaya Lakadong Turmeric initiative highlights the promotion and value chain development of the state’s high-curcumin turmeric variety as part of broader efforts to increase indigenous agricultural products from the Northeast.

The mission aims to strengthen the cultivation, processing, branding and market access of Lakadong turmeric, known for its high quality and medicinal value, providing better income opportunities for farmers and expanding its reach in national and global markets.