Shillong: Japan has emerged as a key partner in Meghalaya’s development efforts, with cooperation spanning agriculture, healthcare, tourism, human resource development and environmental conservation, CM Conrad K Sangma said.Speaking during his web broadcast ‘Live with Conrad’ on Saturday, Sangma said the partnership had already produced initiatives such as mushroom production, local sake-brewing trials and the introduction of a premium Japanese strawberry variety in the state.The govt has successfully brought and begun nurturing saplings of ‘Tochiotome’, a Japanese variety known for its large size, rich flavour and high sweetness. The saplings are currently being cultivated under strict protocols at local centres and will subsequently be distributed to farmers across Meghalaya.Sangma said the initiative followed an official visit to Japan, during which a Meghalaya delegation toured strawberry farms and studied advanced cultivation techniques.“It is a follow-up action of that visit that has led to a collaboration between the Japanese govt, the Indian govt, and the Meghalaya govt to bring these saplings all the way from Japan,” he said.A technical expert associated with the project identified the variety as Tochiotome and said it offered superior sweetness and quality compared with standard varieties.The state agriculture department said the initiative could improve fruit quality, raise farmer incomes and strengthen Meghalaya’s position as a hub for high-value horticulture in the Northeast.“This kind of technology exchange and partnership with developed nations like Japan will definitely help the state and our farmers truly grow in the future,” Sangma said.
