A renewed drive to expand Meghalaya’s organic export capacity dominated the closing day of the 1st Northeast India Organic Week and the 4th IFOAM World Organic Youth Summit on December 1, with the state’s prized Khasi Mandarin emerging as the key focus for policymakers and exporters. Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma stressed that strengthening the organic mission will demand “unwavering and coordinated efforts from all stakeholders,” underscoring that farmers remain central to every policy decision. He reminded participants that the event should be viewed “as the beginning of a longer journey,” adding that government programmes will stay “target-based and time-bound.”
The Khasi Mandarin—a bright, sweet, aromatic and easy-to-peel orange native to Meghalaya—was highlighted as a flagship product capable of driving the state’s global market presence. Sangma emphasised that organic farming is rooted in Meghalaya’s identity, noting that “the word ‘organic’ is more than just a buzzword… it is connected to our farmers, our forefathers, and the way our people have farmed for centuries.” While acknowledging rising global reliance on modern technologies, he said the region’s traditional practices have endured and now offer valuable knowledge “that can be shared with the world.”
The chief minister announced a new target to expand organic cultivation across agricultural land, calling the initiative “ambitious but achievable.” He pointed to logistics as a persistent challenge but maintained that improving these systems remains a priority so farmers can access both national and international markets. APEDA general manager Vinita Sudhanshu said the Northeast is becoming a significant contributor to India’s organic sector. Calling the event the first of its kind in the region, she welcomed strong participation from farmers and FPOs and described Meghalaya as “an inspiring example of community-driven development.” She noted APEDA’s ongoing work on citrus protocols, cold-chain systems and market linkages, and confirmed that two FPOs from the Northeast will receive support for exposure visits during the upcoming Gulfood event.