New Delhi, Aug 1: The third edition of the Meghalaya Pineapple Festival was inaugurated at the iconic Dilli Haat in New Delhi, showcasing the state’s agricultural prowess. Union Agriculture and Rural Development Minister, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and Meghalaya Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma, were present at the event, highlighting the significance of this celebration for India’s farmers.
The festival, organized by the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Meghalaya, has become a flagship platform for promoting natural farming, empowering farmers, and positioning the Northeast as a key player in India’s agricultural economy. Over the past three years, Meghalaya has invested in 27 cold storages, 8 processing hubs, and logistics support, including mobile units and refrigerated trucks, resulting in significant exports to the EU, Gulf, and Southeast Asia.
During the event, the Government of Meghalaya signed landmark Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Reliance Fresh, Amazon Karigar, and Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters to scale procurement, visibility, and national distribution of Meghalaya’s products. This initiative aims to connect fresh produce from across the Northeast to national and international markets.
Chouhan praised Meghalaya’s value chain approach, stating, “The products of Meghalaya are almost fully organic. By marketing them well and adding value, you have shown, for the third year, that Meghalaya’s products are truly special.” He also expressed his delight in tasting the state’s pineapples, saying, “This sweetness in taste belongs to the soil of Meghalaya.”
The festival features curated stalls from various cooperatives of Meghalaya, offering live tastings, value-added products, B2B interactions, and cultural performances from Meghalaya’s musicians. The event will run until August 3, with entry being free. Musicians from the Chief Minister’s Meghalaya Grassroots Music Project will perform at both Dilli Haat and India Gate throughout the festival.
