Flag off ceremony of Mizo hmarchate to send in USA

Aizawl, 14 March (Zoram News): Agriculture Minister Pu C. Lalrinsanga flagged off the export of 7500kg of Mizo Bird's Eye Chilli to Nevada, USA, produced by artisans from Lunglei, Siaha, and Lawngtlai districts, at YMA Run in Haulawng, Lunglei District. The export is a joint initiative of the International Competence Center for Organic Agriculture (ICCOA) and Mission Organic Mizoram (MOM), Department of Agriculture.

Pu C. Lalrinsanga, who chaired the flag off ceremony, expressed pleasure that Mizo farmers' products are reaching the US market, a result of their hard work and dedication. He also mentioned that cold storage and solar dryers will be considered for the export of farmers' produce to foreign countries. The Department is taking steps to increase the use of biofertilizer in Sihphir, where Neihbawih Leitha OP12 Bio Fertilizer is being produced, he said. He also highlighted the importance of artisans for the development of the state.

Pu Manoj Menon, Executive Director of ICCOA, said that the Bird's Eye Chilli samples to be exported have passed the Organic Standards Protocol test without any chemicals. He also mentioned that Mizoram's sawhthing and aieng are in high demand, and the Farmer Producer Company (FPC) plans to export them to other states and countries.

Pi PC Lalawmpuii of ICCOA presented the technical report. The 7,500kg of Bird's Eye Chilli is produced by 12 Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs) in Lunglei, Siaha, and Lawngtlai districts. Six FPCs in Lawngtlai District, three FPCs in Siaha District, and Lunglei District have successfully passed the External Audit of Organic Certification twice.

The chillies will be transported to Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, and then to the USA. The export is carried out in collaboration with Sus Agri Development Pvt Ltd, Bengaluru, Karnataka.