Another feather in Meghalaya’s cap, and a source of tremendous pride and honor for all of its citizens.
At a spectacular ceremony in Raj Bhavan today, President of India Ram Nath Kovind bestowed the Padma Shri on Ms. Trinity Saioo of the Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya. Ms. Saioo, a school teacher and mother of six children, was awarded the Padma Shri for her efforts in mobilizing over 800 farmers to form Self Help Groups to grow the Lakadong kind of turmeric, which is now famed for its high curcumin concentration of 7.9%. She sought assistance from the Spice Board of India, and the farmers of Mulieh hamlet were subsequently mobilized to earn enormous financial gain.
Trinity Saioo resides in Mulieh village in the West Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya with her six children (3 sons, 3 daughters, and 5 grandchildren). Her community, which is unremarkable, has 230 residents and engages in conventional farming. Because of the innovation and hard labor of one lady farmer, who led from the front with excellent and steadfast leadership, every household in this hamlet now grows the prized Lakadong Turmeric.
Lakadong Turmeric, grown in the Laskein CD block of Meghalaya’s West Jaintia Hills district, has gained popularity in recent years due to its high curcumin content of over 7.9% and strong market demand for its unique taste, flavor, scent, and vivid yellow color.
Ms. Saioo was honored by the Union Agriculture Ministry on October 15, 2018, during the Mahila Kisan Diwas 2018 in New Delhi, for her significant achievements and innovative efforts. Along with 40 other women farmers from throughout the country, she got the award in person from Union Minister for Agriculture Radha Mohan Singh.
Today, November 8, 2021, in Rashtrapati Bhavan, the Padmashri award, which was announced last year, was presented.
