CM lays foundation stone for organic tea factory

From A Correspondent

SHILLONG, May 10: Chief Minister Dr Mukul M Sangma on Wednesday said tea is linked with the lives and tradition of the people of the state and organic being the buzz word in the modern world beverage consumers of tea and coffee have also become health conscious of the drink they consume.

Dr Sangma was speaking as the chief guest during the laying of the foundation stone of the proposed Organic Tea Factory of Arsla Organic Tea Growers’ & Producers’ Cooperative Society Ltd at a function held at Tea Development Centre, Umsning in Ri-Bhoi district.

Dr Sangma added that organic products have a niche market and it is important that farmers producing organic products be given the right support to help create a sustaible agriculture that meets global standards.

He said that tea gardens can become tourist destitions for high end tourists by creating infrastructures in the tea gardens and organic agriculture can be linked to eco tourism.

The Chief Minister also urged the tea growers to take advantage of Mission Organic to increase the value of their products.

Dr Sangma also called for coordition and integration and the need to converge relevant schemes to promote organic farming in the state in an integrated manner. He also informed that the Draft Policy for Tea and Coffee has been filized and the government is committed to support tea growers of the state by aggregating the resources. Dr Sangma congratulated Arsla for showing commitment and determition in spite of the hurdles the society faced in its establishment.

He said Meghalaya is fortute to be blessed with opportunities in abundance and it is important to identify these potentials to take advantage for the progress and prosperity of the state.