SHILLONG: In an attempt to marry the indigenous wine-making tradition with modern techniques and resources, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma inaugurated Northeast’s first-of-its-kind wine incubation centre at IHM Shillong campus in Mawdiangdiang.
The facility, named North East Wine Incubation Centre, came into being through a collaborative effort between the Meghalaya Farmers Welfare Commission and IHM, Shillong.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the initiative, Chief Minister Sangma took to a popular micro-blogging website, and wrote, ” Wine making has been a tradition of the tribes of our state and through this, existing local wine makers and entrepreneurs can get the technical support in wine making, packaging and marketing. This envisions to create a shift from wine made from grapes as we explore our strength in fruit wines, focusing on local fruits and move towards our goal to make Meghalaya the Fruit Wine Capital of India.”
The Chief Minister also expressed his delight at the remarkable improvement in the packaging of local wines, noting the substantial departure from previous years. He lauded this noteworthy initiative for its potential to empower farmers and wine makers in the region, allowing them to maximize profits from their produce and products, all the while fostering entrepreneurship among the youth.
“Gone are the days of rudimentary packaging. This renewed approach will ensure our regional farmers and wine-makers maximise their profits, thereby fostering entrepreneurship among the younger generation,” he said.
In his address at the ceremony, Sangma also shed light on how the incubation centre would bridge tourism and agriculture. This strategic alignment aims to boost both business and employment opportunities in the region, he said. Underscoring its importance, Sangma concluded that the centre is not just a venture but a keystone for enhancing the livelihoods of the people in the state.
The inauguration ceremony was also attended by Agriculture Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh and Excise Minister Kyrmen Shylla, among others.
