SHILLONG : Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to begin a two-day visit to Meghalaya on June 19, during which she will inaugurate major infrastructure projects, interact with farmers, artisans and students, and participate in discussions aimed at accelerating development across the Northeast.

One of the key highlights of the visit will be the inauguration of the Northeast’s largest organic spice processing plant at Bhoirymbong. Developed by the Eastern Ri Bhoi Organic Farmer Producer Company, the facility has an annual processing capacity of 10,346 metric tonnes and is expected to benefit nearly 5,500 organic farmers in the region.

The plant will process turmeric, black pepper and a range of other spices, significantly boosting value addition in Meghalaya’s growing organic agriculture sector. Officials believe the project will enhance farmers’ access to larger markets while strengthening the state’s agricultural value chain. Agreements with private-sector partners are also expected to be signed to facilitate marketing and long-term commercial operations.

Later in the day, Sitharaman will attend the inaugural session of a regional conference on externally aided projects in Shillong. The event, titled “Leveraging Externally Aided Projects in the North-Eastern States,” is being organised by the Department of Economic Affairs under the Ministry of Finance in collaboration with the Meghalaya government. The conference will bring together chief ministers, chief secretaries and senior officials from across the Northeast to explore financing opportunities and improve project implementation mechanisms.

At a separate programme at the U Soso Tham Auditorium, the Finance Minister will lay the foundation stones for four major development projects collectively valued at more than Rs 1,200 crore.

The projects include the Meghalaya Logistics and Connectivity Improvement Project, the Meghalaya Ecotourism Infrastructure Development Project, the Integrated Ecotourism and Sustainable Agri-based Livelihood Development Project, and Phase II of the Supporting Human Capital Development in Meghalaya initiative.

A coffee table book chronicling Meghalaya’s journey in implementing externally aided projects will also be released during the event.

On June 20, the Finance Minister is scheduled to interact with students at Kiang Nangbah Government College before inaugurating the Jowai-Nartiang-Kdiap-Khanduli road project at Wahiajer Football Stadium. Funded by the New Development Bank, the road project is expected to improve regional connectivity, facilitate economic activity and enhance access to essential public services.

The minister will also visit the Shree Maa Jayantee Temple and the Nartiang Monolith Heritage Site, two prominent cultural and heritage landmarks in the state.

In addition, Sitharaman will meet farmers and artisans associated with Meghalaya’s GI-tagged products and interact with black clay pottery artisans in Larnai village, where the traditional craft has been preserved for generations.

The Meghalaya government said the visit underscores the Centre’s continued commitment to supporting the state’s development agenda. Officials also highlighted that Meghalaya has fully utilised its Rs 5,400-crore allocation under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment scheme, making it one of the country’s best-performing states under the programme.

Through a combination of infrastructure launches, development discussions and grassroots engagements, the visit is expected to further strengthen efforts to improve connectivity, boost livelihoods and promote sustainable economic growth across Meghalaya and the wider Northeast region.