Shillong, Sep 14: Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Thursday said that licensing fees would remain nominal to encourage local fruit wine makers.
Inaugurating the North East Fruit Wine Incubation Center under Indian Institute of Hotel Management at Mawkasiang on Thursday, the chief minister said the government is ready to address the concerns about registration and licensing and accessibility for winemakers.
“The licensing fees would remain nominal and the government is in the process to streamline the registration of winemakers’, he said.
The chief minister said the plan is also to promote fruit wine industry in the state. He said that a robust policy will facilitate ease of access for local wine makers to promote a thriving ecosystem that links tourism, agriculture, entrepreneurship, and job creation.
The chief minister recalled the moment when he encountered a homemade pineapple wine with a simple, handcrafted label on a beer bottle, which stemmed the idea to devise strategy to promote professional wine making and packaging.
“Despite the unimpressive packaging, the wine inside was exceptional. This experience, combined with discussions and observations, led to the realisation that there is immense potential in the fruit wine industry in Meghalaya,” the chief minister said.
“This entire activity that we are trying to do, it links tourism, agriculture, and job creation. It has the potential to unlock a vast capacity that is lying dormant,” he added.
On comprehensive framework to promote the industry, the chief minister informed on the importance of establishing a proper system, policy, and support structure for local fruit winemakers. This initiative is not only aimed at boosting the wine industry but also at benefiting farmers, tourists, and entrepreneurs in the state.
He wanted to make Meghalaya the fruit wine capital of the country and expressed confidence in achieving this goal with the collaboration of all stakeholders.
He said the wine incubation centre will provide a platform for aspiring entrepreneurs to test and utilize machinery, encourage innovation and economic growth through wine making.
The inauguration of the wine incubation centre, was also attended by Agriculture Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh and Excise Minister Kyrmen Shylla.
In September 2020, the state amended the Meghalaya Excise Rules (Assam Excise Rules 1945), to legalise the production and sale of homemade wines under licence to provide a legal avenue for local winemakers to carry out winemaking as a commercial venture.
Having been actively involved in the formulation of the current policy, the Meghalaya Farmers’ Empowerment Commission (MFEC) has taken responsibility to provide an impetus not only for the winemakers but also for the consumers.
