New Delhi, July 11: The Meghalaya Pineapple Festival struck a sweet chord in the national capital on Day 2, blending business, culture and taste as farmers from the hills met urban buyers face-to-face at Dilli Haat.
The July 11 edition focused on building direct links between Meghalaya’s growers and Delhi’s consumers. Farmer collectives from Ri-Bhoi and the Garo Hills engaged visitors throughout the day, sharing stories of organic cultivation behind the state’s world-famous pineapples.
For many growers, the festival is more than a market. Prin Ronghang, Chairman of Mawpyllun IVCS, called it a “dream come true” to bring produce to Dilli Haat. This marks the collective’s fourth appearance since 2023. “The biggest blessing for us is that the festival provides a platform to interact directly with buyers and consumers alike,” he said, thanking Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and the state government for supporting farmers. Ronghang added that demand for Meghalaya pineapples has grown steadily over the years.
The B2B zone emerged as a key draw, connecting farmer groups with retail partners, institutional buyers and food processors looking to source organic produce. At the ‘Chef’s Experience’ counter, roasted pineapple, pineapple salad and pineapple chutney kept crowds coming back. Visitor Dipti Arora said she tried pineapple for the first time at the fest. “Everything was different… They all were amazing. I recommend everybody to please come and visit the festival.”
The event also resonated with students and experts. Renhya Umbrey from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute noted the importance of the platform for farmers. “I’m very happy that the farmers, they are getting the opportunity which they should have got way back,” she said.
The evening shifted to music under the Chief Minister’s Meghalaya Grassroots Music Program. Garo band ‘The Peru’, formed in 2025, performed in their native tongue to a packed audience. “Today is our biggest performance in New Delhi, and words are not enough to describe how the MGMP has helped us,” the band said, crediting the state government and Meghalaya Tourism for the opportunity.
The festival opened on July 10 with Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia and CM Conrad Sangma touring stalls and interacting with entrepreneurs. That day also saw MoUs signed with Flipkart and National E-Markets Limited to integrate Meghalaya’s pineapples into e-commerce and national supply chains. A documentary on the fruit’s journey and the release of “Meghalaya Pineapple: A Four-Edition Journey” marked the launch.
The Meghalaya Pineapple Festival runs at Dilli Haat till July 12, 2026, from 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Organizers are urging Delhi residents to visit in the final days to taste the state’s premium produce and support the farmers driving what they call a “sweet revolution.”
