Discovering The High Value Spices Grown In Meghalaya

The Spice Market Share in India

Market trends for spices in Meghalaya (2015)

A look at the last few years gives a strong indication that the market for spices and India’s role in it will only become stronger and more prominent in the coming years. India holds a dominant position in the spices market and production is far ahead of the competition. Yet, other countries are also seeing the potential and ramping up production.

Trade Value and Volume Have Increased Exponentially

India maintains it’s run as the top producer and exporter of spices on the world map. Between 2005 and 2011, the trade value of India’s spice exports saw a change of 254% from 20 million USD to 140 million USD. At the same time, the volume too saw an increase of 125% from 20,000 metric tonnes to 120,000 metric tonnes between 2005 and 2011.

Spices Grown in India

Grab a copy of the unique spices of Northeast India

A majority of Indian states grow one type of spice or the other. But the most prolific spice growers in the country are Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala and Rajasthan. In Northeast India, Nagaland and Manipur are the only states which do not produce enough spices to merit this list.

Meghalaya’s Potential for Growing High Value Spices Waiting to Be Explored

Meghalaya has tremendous as well as significant potential for growing high value spices. The state remains largely unexplored and the potential is locked up. The rich biodiversity, diverse climatic zones and varying degrees of elevation makes this state the ideal location for growing different varieties of high value spices.

Distribution of Cultivation Area (in Hectares) Meghalaya 2012-13

Compare to the national average, the numbers on these charts may not mean much. But when one considers how the farmers of Meghalaya have been growing these spices for countless generations, one will begin to see the potential. These farmers know the ins and outs of growing these spices, using the tried and tested methods of cultivating them which have been passed down from one generation to the next.

Popular Spices in Meghalaya and Cultivated Area

Among the varieties of ginger grown in the state, Nadia has been found to give higher yields of up to about 10 M.T. per hectare. This variety also has least fibre content and the volatile oil content (oleoresin) in dry ginger powder varies between 1.2 to 1.5%.

Popular Spices in Meghalaya and Their Production

Other than these spices, large cardamom has recently been introduced and is slowly becoming popular with the farmers.

Spices from Meghalaya

Climate: Tropical, sub tropical
Temperature: 20° - 25° C
Soil type: Wide range of soils, moisture retaining but well drained
Planting: Kharif – May to June; Rabi - January
Harvest: Two to three months after planting
Varieties: Bhut jolokia, Bird’s eye chilli, Synteng hot, NP-46, Jwala
Capsicum: Chinese giant, Bullnose, Oskosh, California Wonder
Pickle (achar): Hungarian, Wax, Local Achar



Climate: Tropical, sub tropical
Temperature: 28° - 35° C
Soil type: Sandy, red loam, rich in humus
Planting: April Harvest: Six months after planting
Varieties: Nadia, Suprada, Thingpui, Poona, Rio de Janeiro, Thinglaidong, Tata, Wynad

Should Lakadong turmeric be GI Tagged?

Climate: Tropical, sub tropical
Temperature: 28° - 35° C
Soil type: Moisture retaining but well drained
Planting: April
Harvest: December
Varieties: Lakadong, RCT-1, Megha Turmeric-1



Climate: Tropical, humid
Temperature: 10° - 40° C
Soil type: Wide range of soils, rich in humus and well drained
Planting: June to July
Harvest: 6 – 7 months after planting
Varieties: Panniyur-1, Panniyur-2

Market Trends for Spices in Meghalaya (2015)

Zizira conducted a little study on the potential of growing high value spices in Meghalaya and we discovered that the spices market is not as volatile as other commodities. Turmeric saw a drastic dip in the middle of the year and this could be due to the fact that this period falls between the sowing and the harvesting season.

Unique Spices of Meghalaya

Common nameBotanical nameZingiberrubensLocal name



Common nameBotanical nameAllium ophioscorodon rocamboleLocal name



Common nameBotanical nameZanthoxylumkhaasianumLocal name



Common nameBotanical nameCinnamomumtamalaLocal name



Common nameBotanical name: Piper longum Local name: Sohmrit khlaw



Common nameBotanical nameKaempferia galangalLocal name