Shillong: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Tuesday announced that the state government has allocated Rs. 240 crore for the implementation of Floriculture Mission 1.0 over the next three years.
The initiative aims to transform Meghalaya into a floriculture hub of the Northeast and the country.
Launched in March 2024, the mission is expected to benefit over 3,000 farmers, each receiving a comprehensive Rs. 7 lakh subsidy package that covers inputs, infrastructure, and training.
Nearly 500 farmers have already availed the scheme’s benefits.
“This is the highest investment any government has made in floriculture in Meghalaya,” said the Chief Minister during his visit to Mawkriah village in East Khasi Hills, where he was joined by Agriculture Minister Dr. Ampareen Lyngdoh and local MLA Ronnie Lyngdoh.
Designed to promote floriculture as a high-value, climate-resilient, and sustainable livelihood, the scheme will focus on cultivating premium flowers such as Orchids (Dendrobium, Cymbidium, Vanda, and Phalaenopsis) and Oriental Lilium, which are in strong demand both domestically and internationally.
Meghalaya’s unique blend of tropical and temperate agroclimatic conditions makes it well-suited for such cultivation.
To ensure effective implementation, the state government has partnered with two professional agencies—Darjeeling Gardens and North Bengal Floritech—to provide technical support, quality planting materials, and infrastructure.
These agencies will also offer a three-year buyback guarantee, ensuring market linkage and steady income for farmers.
“Region-specific flower clusters are being developed using scientific cultivation techniques,” Sangma said. “We are combining Meghalaya’s natural advantages with modern systems.”
The mission is part of a broader agricultural strategy that includes successful initiatives like the Lakadong Turmeric Mission, which saw a dramatic production increase from 1,000 MT to over 20,000 MT, driven by investment, SHG-led processing units, and robust market access.
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Looking ahead, the government plans to establish dedicated logistics and storage hubs across major flower-producing clusters to support the growing floriculture ecosystem.
These centres will help preserve product quality and ensure timely delivery to markets.
The chief minister also mentioned that the floriculture mission is being integrated with flagship schemes like CM’s Farm Plus and CM-Assure, which aim to offer comprehensive, long-term support to Meghalaya’s farmers.
“Our vision is to double farmers’ incomes, diversify livelihoods, and make agriculture the backbone of sustainable development in the state,” Sangma said.
