The North East region of India has significant potential for agro and food processing due to its diverse climate and production of various crops. It is a major producer of tea, spices like ginger and turmeric, fruits like pineapple and citrus fruits, and other crops like bamboo. The region has various infrastructure supports like mega food parks, warehouses, and educational institutes to boost food processing. There are opportunities for private players to invest in projects involving warehouses, cold chains, processing facilities. The region produces many commercially important crops and spices and some have received GI tag recognition.

1. Agro Food Processing
and Allied Sectors
North East States

2. Why
North East?
• Gateway to South East Asian Countries including ASEAN
• 4 Agro-climatic zones and abundant perennial water
• Total of 8869.1 thousand tons of food grains production in 2020-21
• Global tea hub contributing to more than 50% of the country’s total tea
production
• Major fruits and spices produced in the state include Pineapple, Jackfruit, Oranges
and varieties of Lemon & Lime, Ginger, and Turmeric
• Availability of organically grown raw products
• Availability of skilled manpower for agriculture and food processing industry from
state Agriculture universities in Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, and Tripura
• Availability of Food Processing Infrastructure: Dedicated Mega Food Park, Cold
chain project, Testing Laboratory, land bank for industry
• Government Incentives: A range of incentives, including tax holidays, subsidies,
and reimbursements to support business growth.
• India’s Green Hub: Home to lush forests and rich biodiversity, it is an ideal
destination for agro- based industries
• Huge potential for export: The region has experienced a massive 86 per cent
increase (in value terms) of agricultural produce from $2.52 million (Rs 20.15
crore at current exchange rates) in 2016-17 to $17.2 million (Rs 137.53 crore) in
2021-22.

3. State wise: Area (A) and Production (P)
STATES/ UTs FRUITS VEGETABLES PLANTATION SPICES HONEY
Area in '000 Ha &
Production in '000 MT
A P A P A P A P P
ARUNACHAL PRADESH 48.14 125.84 2.62 17.41 2.67 11.76 13.86 21.49 0.13
ASSAM 147.23 2251.97 301.05 3628.77 89.63 156.93 103.22 338.54 1.35
MANIPUR 41.62 463.86 32.9 339.87 0.9 0.3 7.38 72.7 0.4
MEGHALAYA 37.23 382.21 49.28 517.76 27.04 34.06 14.62 71.97 0.25
MIZORAM 65.95 345.18 40.62 224.39 21.45 33.64 27.82 100.93 0.25
NAGALAND 34.01 316.59 41.09 456.78 2.79 7.87 11.79 46.34 0.65
SIKKIM 20.13 50.69 17.08 108.68 0 0 42.35 102.58 0.45
TRIPURA 55.45 571.43 48.56 848.08 16.11 40.79 6.73 25.22 0.2

4. State wise: Vegetable Production (in ‘000 Tonnes)
STATES BRINJAL
CABBAG
E
CARROT
CAULIFL
OWER
CUCUMB
ER
LADYFIN
GER
TOMATO ONION PEAS RADISH POTATO
ARUNCHAL
PRADESH
1.792 5.636 0.494 1.471 0.461 0.393 2.15 0.142 0.38 0.435
ASSAM 321.371 739.891 75.949 431.225 88.555 198.825 428.487 91.928 25.772 245.078 757.63
MANIPUR 1.641 110.89 34.101 1.58414 2.747 35.26675 5.192 76.425 13.776
MEGHALAY
A
15.295 42.981 23.826 21.241 5.176 3.974 35.122 5.089 30.301 187.303
MIZORAM 19.42 88.53 1.847 1.086 3.292 25.015 26.89 1.8 2.294 1.364 0.945
NAGALAND 3.451 118.5 5.029 3.632 9.47 1.518 19.699 5.613 8.979 4.541 55.588
SIKKIM 2.445 6.915 2.293 4.344 0.633 7.494 4.599 1.668 9.395 5.825 44.601
TRIPURA 83.674 84.181 4.894 69.574 18.912 19.088 57.848 1.106 2.717 59.681 147.307
TOTAL 449.09 1197.52 114.33 566.67 128.08 259.05 610.06 112.40 125.72 347.17 1207.59

5. State wise: Fruit Production (in ‘000 Tonnes)
STATES/
FRUITS
LEMON MANDARIN BANANA GUAVA JACKFRUIT LITCHI PAPAYA PEACH KIWI PINEAPPLE
PASSION
FRUIT
ARECANUT
Arunachal
Pradesh
0.123 67.741 14.03 0.22 1.11 0.09 3.16 0.24 7.43 22.87 11.556
Assam 156.865 185.021 909.83 128.01 211.308 60.188 151.824 315.139 53.404
Manipur 63.811 47.529 88.499 0.713 0.298 0.329 4.163 3.01 134.821 37.733
Meghalaya 4.954 44.189 95.011 17.397 6.926 138.81 24.059
Mizoram 25.898 54.168 140.502 2.416 1.85 22.723 1.03 29.023 2.11 33.54
Nagaland 6.194 43.152 87.279 4.315 1.094 3.353 11.489 1.794 1.803 114.768 15.244 1.219
Sikkim 26.65 5.53 7.763 0.971 1.734 0.333 2.149 0.992 0.065
Tripura 24.399 21.096 111.114 3.156 133.882 3.219 32.128 144.604 24.678
TOTAL 282.244 489.546 1451.795 146.593 365.089 70 234.147 2.367 15.422 901.027 55.152 148.456

6. State Wise: Spices Production (in ‘000 MT)
STATES/UTs BLACK PEPPER GINGER RED CHILLIES TURMERIC GARLIC CARDAMOM CORIANDER
ARUNACHAL
PRADESH
0.15 13.38 2.38 1.95 3.62
ASSAM 3.05 185.95 20.19 24.67 68.92 35.76
MANIPUR 66.94 5.69 0 0.004 0.075
MEGHALAYA 0.8 66.45 3.38 0.196
MIZORAM 0.0025 60.13 10.92 29.82 0.012 0.021
NAGALAND 0.024 35.28 4.328 1.84 2.38 2.26 0.075
SIKKIM 81.5 15.46 0 5.61
TRIPURA 0.342 16.13 6.698 2.049
TOTAL 4.3685 525.76 44.516 84.859 71.508 11.494 35.931

7. Yield of Top Agriculture Produce (FY 2019-20): Production in ‘000 MT
Crops
Rice
7310
Maize
525
Oilseed
375
Fruits
Pineapple
543
Citrus
136
Vegetables
Tomato
586
Cabbage
10,60,157
Spices
Chilli
48034
Turmeric
83202
Cardamom
7769
Ginger
410519
Plantation
Crops
Tea
698
Bamboo
84991

8. Leading
Food
Processing
Companies
in NER
Dabur
ITC
Patanjali
Pepsi Co
Britannia
Amul
Purabi
Parle Agro
DS Group

9. Infra Support
Mega Food Park 6
Industrial Growth Centres 8
Agri Export Zone 4
Inland Container Depot 1
Agro Processing Cluster 8
Agro -Warehouse 79
Cold Storage 71
Plant Quarantine centre 3
Immense potential for private players to invest in warehouses and other logistics infrastructure

10. Few of the investible projects in Logistics
and Cold Chain
Project Name
Establishment of Export Promotion Hub at IIDC, Kiruphema, Kohima, Nagaland
Integrated Warehouse and Distribution Centres in all districts of Nagaland
Cold Chain infra and logistics in Nagaland
Creation of Supply Chain Infrastructure for Horticulture Perishable in Nagaland- Pre- cooling unit, washing, grading and waxing
line, pack houses, temperature and humidity controlled cold storages, ripening chambers and refrigerated transport vehicles
Cold chain & Cold storages in all districts of Tripura
Packaging units in all districts of Tripura
Mega Food Park Scheme under PM SAMPADA Yojana, Papumpare Arunachal Pradesh. As per the guideline, the role of the
State is to provide "External Infrastructure (Road, Power & Water Connectivity) to Mega Food Park".
Development of Food Park at Dhemaji, Assam (Dhemaji district has the highest potential for industrial development with
improved connectivity through the Bogibeel Bridge)
Integrated Pack House and processing facilities for addressing missing gaps (Crop Specific) in Williamnagar, Nongstoin,
Nongpoh, Shillong and Jowai (Meghalaya)
Cold storage and Transportation in Tura, Williamnagar, Nongstoin, Shillong, Jowai (Meghalaya)

11. Support- Educational Institutes/ Trained Manpower
• Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati
• Assam Agricultural University
• Tezpur University
• North-Eastern Hill University
• Manipur University
• NERIST
• Mizoram University
• School of Agricultural Sciences and Rural Development, Medziphema, Nagaland
There are several educational institutes which provide state of the art education to
students across the Northeast Region. Some of the major institutes imparting
education in the agriculture and allied subjects are-

12. Few of the Agro
Products and
Production Details

13. CARDAMOM (2020-21)
STATE PRODUCTION % SHARE RANK
SIKKIM 5.24 19.77 2nd
NAGALAND 2.23 8.42 3rd
ARUNACHAL PRADESH 1.36 5.13 4th
TOTAL 8.83 33.32
Area in '000 Ha (A)
Production in '000 MT (P)

14. GINGER (2020-21)
STATES A P Rank in India
ASSAM 19.451 185.951 3rd
SIKKIM 15.222 81.5 8th
MANIPUR 4.801 66.939 9th
MEGHALAYA 9.972 66.449 10th
MIZORAM 8.553 60.1305 11th
NAGALAND 4.717 35.28
TRIPURA 1.897 16.126
ARUNACHAL PRADESH 3.27788 13.3839
TOTAL (NE) 67.89 525.76
Area in '000 Ha (A)
Production in '000 MT (P)

15. BLACK PEPPER (2020-21) Area in '000 Ha
Production in '000 MT
STATES AREA PRODUCTION RANK
ASSAM 4.087 3.05481 3rd
MEGHLAYA 1.056 0.801 5th
TRIPURA 0.33 0.342342 9th
ARUNACHAL PRADESH 0.10211 0.15149 10th
NAGALAND 0.101 0.024 12th
TOTAL (NE) 5.68 4.37

16. TURMERIC
STATES
(2020-21)
TURMERIC
Area Production
MIZORAM 7.7384 29.82
ASSAM 17.757 24.665
SIKKIM 4.995 15.464
MANIPUR 2.346 5.684
MEGHALAYA 3.006 3.3752
TOTAL (NE) 35.84 79.01
Area in '000 Ha
Production in '000 MT

17. KIWI production In North East Region
 The North Eastern region accounts for 92.85% share in Kiwi production of India (2020-21)
STATES PRODUCTION (MT) % SHARE
ARUNACHAL PRADESH 7.43 44.71
MANIPUR 3.01 18.11
SIKKIM 2.16 13.00
NAGALAND 1.80 10.83
MIZORAM 1.03 6.20
TOTAL (NE) 15.43 92.85

18. PINEAPPLE (2020-21)
Area in '000 Ha
Production in '000 Tonnes
STATES Area Production Rank in India
ASSAM 16.607 315.139 2
TRIPURA 9.918 144.604 4
MEGHALAYA 12.212 138.81 5
MANIPUR 12.119 134.821 6
NAGALAND 8.925 114.768 7
MIZORAM 5.027 29.023 12
ARUNACHAL
PRADESH
3.07 22.871 14
SIKKIM 0.198 0.992 17
TOTAL 68.08 901.03

19. JACKFRUIT (2020-21) Area in '000 Ha (A)
Production in '000 Tonnes (P)
STATES AREA PRODUCTION Rank in India
ASSAM 22.451 211.308 3rd
TRIPURA 5.517 133.882 8th
MEGHALAYA 1.685 17.397 13th
ARUNACHAL
PRADESH
0.234 1.114 15th
NAGALAND 0.1 1.094 16th
TOTAL 29.987 364.795

20. MILLET
Meghalaya in the year 2017-18 (in 000 Tonnes)
• Job Tears- 43 Finger Millet- 967 Other Millets- 67
• Foxtail Millet- 1371 Pearl Millet- 332
Arunachal Pradesh in the year 2019-20
• Area- 26790 Hectares Production- 27460 MT
Sikkim Year in the year 2021-22 (in 000 tonnes)
• Finger Millet- 2.13 Buckwheat- 3.07
Assam Millet in the year 2018-19
• Finger, Foxtail, Proso Production- 4447 Tonnes
• Area- 6602 Hectares
Tripura in the year 2019-20
• (Small Millet) Production- 380 MT

21. ARECANUT (2020-21)
Area in '000 Ha
Production in '000 MT
STATES
ARECANUT
Area Production
Rank in
India
ASSAM 67.729 53.404 3rd
MIZORAM 21.42 33.54 4th
TRIPURA 7.195 24.678 5th
MEGHALAYA 18.242 24.059 6th
ARUNACHAL
PRADESH
2.605 11.556 10th
NAGALAND 0.22 1.219 12th

22. GI Tag Products
North East Region

23. Assam Karbi Anglong Ginger
• Ginger is grown as an important
cash crop in Singhasan Hills of
Karbi Anglong district using the
age-old system of Jhum and Tila
cultivation.
• Karbi Anglong area has an
average annual production of
more than 30,000 tonnes and is
cultivated by around 10,000
farmers.

24. Assam Boka Chaul
• Boka Chaul, a rice variety is
grown in Nalbari, Barpeta,
Goalpara, Kamrup, Darrang,
Dhubri, Chirang, Bongaiagoan,
Kokrajhar and Baksa areas in the
Indian State of Assam
• This magic rice (Boka Chaul)
doesn't require fuel, stove or
rice cooker to cook it. Can be of
great potential in International
and National markets.

25. Assam Judima
Judima, also known as Dimasa
rice wine is essentially a
homemade fermented drink
made from sticky rice.
The process involves steaming
the rice and blending it with
local herbs. The extracted liquid
is the rice wine which has a
sweet taste. It takes around
seven days to prepare Judima.

26. Assam Kaji Nemu
• One of the most common and
popular citrus fruit found in this
state is the Kaji nemu.
• 'Kazi Nemu' is utilized for
preparing refreshing drinks and
pickles as well as garnishing
curry and other dishes.
• Being exported to International
Markets including UK and Dubai.
Huge potential for exports and in
Indian Market.

27. Tezpur Litchi (Assam)
• Known for its excellent quality,
pleasant flavour, juicy pulp and
for its attractive colour. Tezpur
litchi weighs around 70 g – 80 g
which is the largest among all
varieties grown in Assam.
• Exported to UK, USA,
Switzerland.
• It is also extremely popular in
the Indian fruit markets of
Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan
and Uttar Pradesh.
• Assam is the 4th highest
producer of Litchi in India

28. Joha Rice of Assam
• Notable for its aroma, delicate
and excellent taste.
• Assam is the largest cultivator of
this rice.
• First consignment of
Geographical Indication (GI)
tagged Joha rice from Assam
exported to Dubai on August
2022.

29. Chak – Hao (Manipur)
• Chakhao or Chak Hao (Manipuri
black aromatic rice) is a species of
paddy plant, found in the plains of
Manipur
• Considered as on of the richest
source of anthocyanin found
among food grain product
• For the first time, one metric
tonne of this organic Manipur
black rice was exported to Europe
from Imphal in the year 2021

30. Hathei Chilli (Manipur)
• Hathei is said to be one of the best
varieties of chilli in the world
• High extractable colour value (164
ASTA) which can be commercially
utilized for production of edible
natural colour, is the specialty of
Hathei chilli
• Hathei chilli is even better than
Kashmir chilli when used as a
colouring additive to dishes

31. Manipur Kachai Lemon
Kachai lemon or popularly known as
Kachai Champra is considered to be
unique as it is a rich source of
ascorbic acid and famous for its
juice content.

32. Manipur Tamenglong Orange
This orange is known for its sweet-
and-sour taste, high juice content

33. Meghalaya Khasi Mandarin
• The Khasi Mandarin (Soh
Sohniamtra in Khasi) is a little
bigger than a tennis ball in size
and bright orange in colour.
• Exported to Doha, Bahrain, UAE

34. Mizo Ginger
Known as Sawhthing locally, Mizo
gingers are renowned for their
pungency, high content of gingerol
(1.23 to 1.25 percent) and volatile
oil (1.45 to 1.80 percent) with less
crude fibre content as compared to
the varieties found in North East
India.

35. Mizo Chilli/ Mizo Bird’s Eye Chillies
• 7.5 metric ton of typical Mizo
chilli to the US recently in March
2023.
• It’s also in high demand in
neighbouring countries such as
Myanmar and others of
Southeast Asia. Recently 7.5 MT
of this organic chilli was
exported to US.
• It is used for spicy cuisine in,
pickle, chutneys, hot sauces.
• 50,000 to 100,000 SHU

36. Naga Cucumber
• Naga cucumber is recognised for its
sweetness and unique green colour.
• Naga cucumbers are juicy, soft, and
sweet. They are grown completely
organically.
• Naga cucumbers are a kind of fruits that
differ in taste, shape and sizes from those
available in other areas.
• They are low in calories but high in
potassium and contain a high level of
water and can serve as an alternative to
consuming sports drinks.

37. Naga Mircha/ Bhut Jolokia
• It is considered to be one of the
hottest chillies in the world clocking
in over 13,00,000 SHUs on the
Scoville scale for pungency.
• Bhut Jolkia or Naga Mircha has high
levels of capsaicin and is abundantly
used in pharmaceuticals and
cosmetics like pain balms, skin
ointments and prickly heat powder.
It’s also developed as a non-lethal
anti-terrorist and crowd control
weapon.
• Being exported to international
markets.

38. Naga Tree Tomato
The Naga tree tomato also known
by the name of tamarillo is
distinctly different from the classic
tomato both with its egg-shape and
colouring that varies from yellow
and orange to red and almost
purplish.
Tree tomatoes are also known to
contain lycopene, a compound that
wards off degenerative diseases,
boosts the heart functioning and
aids the skin’s ability to withstand
UV radiation.

39. Sikkim Dalle Khursani
• Dalle Khursani is a variety of
chilli pepper primarily cultivated
in Indian state of Sikkim.
• One of the world’s spiciest
chillies
• Its pungency ranges between
100,000 to 350,000 SHU
(Scoville heat units), similar to
the Habanero chilli pepper.
• Can be converted into dry
chillies, powders, or flakes for
commercial use.

40. Queen (GI) & Kew Pineapple
• The famed Queen Pineapple, which
is also the state fruit of Tripura and
also grown in Mizoram is a much
revered crop of the farmers. Tripura,
is one of the largest pineapple
growing states of India.
• Tripura exported 9,909 tonnes of the
most delicious pineapples to Dubai,
Qatar, Bangladesh while Mizoram
also exported a large quantity to
Dubai, Bahrain and Qatar and also
sold at Lulu hyper market in Dubai.
• Tripura annually produces 1.28 lakh
tonnes of two major varieties -- Kew
and Queen -- of pineapples in 8,800
hectares of mountainous orchards
across the state.

41. Some more Agri Products from NE
• Lakadong Turmeric: Lakadong turmeric from Meghalaya is said to
have highest curcumin content 7 to 12% while regular turmeric has 2
to 3%. Given the high curcumin content, the health-aiding and
culinary-enhancing attributes of Lakadong turmeric are believed to be
more potent than regular turmeric.
• Jack Fruit: Nearly 60% of country's jackfruit are grown in Northeast
• Tej Patta: Grows in abundance in Northeast India specially
Meghalaya.
• Citrus: The North-eastern region of India is rich treasure of various
Citrus species

42. • Banana: Cultivated on a large scale in Assam and some parts of other
North-east states.
• Avocado: Sikkim highest in NE
• Honey: North East Region of India is one of the key areas for natural honey
production.
• Large Cardamom: India is the largest producer of large cardamom in the
world and Sikkim contributes to it significantly. Cardamom also present in
Nagaland.
• Black Pepper: Apart from South India, Black Pepper is produced in
abundance in NE. Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland
among top 10 states.
• Bamboo: Abundant resource of NE. Food- Bamboo Shoot/ Pickle, Bamboo
Alcohol, Bamboo Tea.

43. • Tea: The North Eastern States account for 55 % of area under tea and 53 %
of total production of India. Largest tea producing region in the world.
• Oilseed: The oilseed that are commonly grown in the North Eastern States
in India are Rapeseed and mustard, soybean, sesame, groundnut.
• Tapioca: Apart from South India, it is produced in abundance in states like
Nagaland (4th highest), Meghalaya(5th), Assam (6th), Arunachal (10th).
• Radish: 11% of India’s production happens in NE. Assam 4th highest in India
with 8 % of India production.
• Cabbage: 8% of India’s production, Assam being the highest.
• Chilli: Top varieties- Dalle Khursani (Sikkim), Bhut Jolokia, Naga King Chilli,
Mizo Chilli, Meghalaya’s Bird’s Eye Chilli, Hathei Chilli (Manipur), Krishna,
Sohmynken Bhot, Sohmynken Kba, Sohmynken Ding.

44. Thank You