The foundation for a Rs 7.18 crore Fruit Dehydration Unit in Songsak in East Garo Hills was set by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, marking a major step in the transformation of Meghalaya’s agro-processing industry. “The Meghalaya Basin Management Agency (MBMA), Government of Meghalaya, is providing funding for this facility, which is being developed under a Community Public-Private Partnership (CPPP) model,” the Chief Minister said during the ceremony.
ABRI FPO Multipurpose Cooperative Society Ltd. will be in charge of overseeing the high-capacity unit. It is anticipated to generate 886 metric tonnes of dehydrated fruit products yearly, with the capacity to process 7,400 metric tonnes of fresh fruits annually. The Chief Minister highlighted the initiative’s potential to empower local farmers and producer organizations, characterizing it as a transformative investment in the agricultural value chain. He said that it will increase the value of their produce, create new markets, and establish Meghalaya as a center for agro-industries centered on fruit.