Meghalaya: One of Aisa’s largest Banana Producer, Kharkutta may finally avail FPC benefits!

Tura, August 11, 2017: Despite being one of the largest producers of banana in the entire Asian continent, the Kharkutta block's lack of a banana trading market in the state as well as food processing centre (FPC) in the region has been hurting traders for generations now. The prayer for an FPC in Kharkutta may finally come true after a delegation of NPP led leaders met the union minster of Food processing industries, Harsimrat Kaur Badal to seek a new FPC for the area.

The delegation was led by Tura MP, Conrad K Sangma along with Rupert Momin and Edbirth Momin who met the minister on August 10 to talk about the matter of setting up of a new FPC in the area. The meeting was held in New Delhi.

"Banana is the fifth most traded agricultural commodity in the world after cereals, sugar, coffee and cocoa. It is the second most important fruit crop in India, next only to mango. Its year-round availability, affordability, variety, taste and nutritive and medicinal value make it the favourite fruit among all classes of people," said Rupert Momin.

"Kharkutta in North Garo Hills in Meghalaya is one of the largest producers of banana in South East Asia, and supplies to West Bengal, Bihar, U.P and Orissa. The recent trend of market regulation has been unstable and the farmers are suffering a lot," he added.

"We met the Union minister of FPI and appraised her about the availability of banana production in the area and urged her to establish an FPC in and around Kharkutta for the benefits of the area especially for the farmers," said Rupert.

The delegation mentioned that the meeting had been a fruitful one with the minister giving a positive response for the setting up of a FPC in Kharkutta.

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