Shillong: Meghalaya governor Ganga Prasad met Japanese ambassador to India Kenji Hiramatsu at Raj Bhavan here on Monday evening and sought Japan's support in transferring appropriate technology to develop infrastructure for strawberry cultivation in the state.

The governor also urged the Japanese diplomat to review the travel advisory that cautioned Japanese citizens against visiting Meghalaya owing to security apprehensions as the situation has improved a lot in the state over the past few years.

Hiramatsu also called on chief minister Conrad K. Sangma in his office at the main secretariat here.

Stating that Meghalaya has good climatic conditions for shiitake mushroom cultivation, the governor told Hiramatsu that farmers can benefit immensely if a similar gesture is extended to Meghalaya as it had been done in Tamil Nadu. According to Prasad, the Japan International Cooperation Agency had in the past collaborated with the Tamil Nadu Agriculture University, Coimbatore, through YATS Corporation, a private company, and facilitated technology transfer on mushroom cultivation.

Japan is the world leader in Shiitake mushroom production.

"In our state, we have native species of woody trees that are suitable for Shiitake mushroom cultivation," Prasad said.

Meghalaya is also known for producing quality strawberry. The governor told the Japanese diplomat that the technical know-how to generate planting material for strawberry is inadequate in the state.

Stating that appropriate steps should be taken to review the security situation in Meghalaya, the governor told Hiramatsu that the initiative would help build a long-term relationship between the people of Japan and India.

Hiramatsu, who visited Meghalaya for the first time, said he discussed issues related to the state's infrastructure development and business opportunities, including food processing, with the governor.