In a significant push for agricultural upliftment, the Mizoram government has acquired more than 3.45 lakh quintals of ginger from local farmers this year, channeling over Rs 95 crore through its flagship 'Bana Kaih' handholding initiative. Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister PC Vanlalruata shared these details during the state Assembly's monsoon session on Thursday, highlighting the program's role in stabilizing farmer incomes amid market fluctuations.
Launched in September 2024 by the ruling Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) government under Chief Minister Lalduhoma, the Bana Kaih scheme was a key election promise aimed at providing minimum support prices for five essential crops: ginger, turmeric, chilli, broomsticks, and unhusked rice. This market intervention has not only ensured fair compensation but also spurred expansion in cultivation areas, with reports indicating growth in plantation for these crops since the program's inception.
From January 20 to June 30, 2025, the government purchased ginger at Rs 50 per kg via designated collection centers, later auctioning the stock to companies prioritizing the highest bids. However, returns from these sales totaled just Rs 12.78 crore, underscoring challenges in the resale market. Minister Vanlalruata noted that Rs 95.28 crore has already been disbursed as support prices, with an additional Rs 45 crore pending release to farmers.
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The initiative builds on earlier efforts, including partnerships with banks for loans and interest subsidies to foster entrepreneurship among growers. By July 2025, the state had allocated Rs 98.84 crore across all five crops under the scheme, with ginger forming the bulk of procurements at over 3.47 lakh quintals in its initial phase. This reflects a broader strategy to mitigate export hurdles, such as border trade disruptions with neighboring Myanmar and Bangladesh, where Mizoram's ginger often faces competition.
Despite successes, the minister acknowledged hurdles, including instances where non-local farmers reportedly sourced ginger from Myanmar to resell to the government for profit. To address these and financial shortfalls, the state has requested aid from the central government under the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS), with assurances that outstanding payments will be cleared promptly.
Looking ahead, the ZPM administration has ramped up funding for Bana Kaih, boosting the budget to Rs 350 crore for the 2025-26 fiscal year—a 75% increase from the previous Rs 200 crore allocation. This enhanced investment aims to further empower rural economies, promote sustainable farming, and position Mizoram's produce in national and international markets.
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