Meghalaya unveiled its pavilion at World Food India (WFI) 2025 on Friday, highlighting the state’s agricultural potential, organic produce, and expanding export capabilities. The inauguration was jointly done by Union Minister of Food Processing Industries Chirag Paswan and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, signaling the state’s commitment to boosting organic farming and connecting local farmers to domestic and international markets. The Meghalaya Pavilion at WFI 2025 showcased the state’s innovative farming techniques, grassroots value chains, and growing export infrastructure, positioning it as a rising player in both national and global food markets. Union Minister Paswan lauded Meghalaya’s efforts in organic cultivation, particularly Lakadong turmeric, which has gained worldwide recognition. “Meghalaya’s organic Lakadong turmeric reflects the state’s growing influence in the organic market,” he said, pledging the Centre’s continued support for such initiatives.
Chief Minister Sangma encouraged farmers and rural entrepreneurs to leverage emerging opportunities. “We facilitate, but the transformation depends on your hard work,” he remarked, underlining the role of local initiative in driving agricultural and economic growth. During the event, Meghalaya launched its new organic brand, ‘Meghalaya Collectives’ Organic’, aimed at promoting premium produce including Lakadong turmeric, Khasi mandarin, Sohiong (blackberry), and Kew pineapple. Through the state’s marketing platform MEGNOLIA, Meghalaya signed four key MoUs with Lulu Group Retail, The Staple Kaka, Plantrich Agri Tech Pvt Ltd, and Treta Agro Pvt Ltd. These agreements are expected to enhance market access in India and Gulf countries, opening new avenues for organic exports. Under the Organic Mission 2024–28, Meghalaya plans to certify one lakh hectares by 2028, with a budget allocation of ₹250 crore. So far, 24,000 hectares have been certified, benefiting 40,000 farmers. The state’s Community Public Private Partnership (CPPP) model has been central to this progress, fostering cooperation between farmers, communities, and private investors.
The state has also launched eight PRIME Hubs, attracting ₹220 crore in investment, supporting 15,000 farmers, and creating over 1,500 jobs. By 2031-32, Meghalaya aims to expand to 55 hubs, with investments of ₹550 crore, benefiting 3.4 lakh farmers and generating 11,000 employment opportunities. Since 2022, Meghalaya has steadily exported organic produce, including pineapples, mandarins, and ginger, to the Middle East. In early 2025 alone, the state shipped 15 metric tonnes of organic ginger and 20 metric tonnes of GI-tagged Khasi mandarins to Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, establishing its products as premium offerings in the global market.