Shillong: Meghalaya brought its premier Kew pineapples to New Delhi for the fourth annual Pineapple Festival. Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia opened the three-day event, praising the state for turning local farming into a major economic engine. The government now aims for 12,000 hectares of mostly organic cultivation.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said the festival is growing fast. "With the response it is getting on the first day itself, it is going to be the best one since the last four years," Sangma stated. He wants to cut out middlemen to help farmers in the Garo and Khasi Hills sell directly to buyers.
The state signed new deals with Flipkart and National E-Markets Limited to move more fruit online. These partnerships add to existing supply chains with Amazon, Reliance, and Safal. Sales volume spiked from 7.7 metric tonnes last year to 20 metric tonnes this year. Pineapples are reaching markets as far as Dubai.
The festival features 40 stalls run by tribal women and over 50 local cooperatives. It highlights more than just fresh fruit. You can find organic juices, honey, and local spices at the stalls. The event also hosts craft zones for pottery and handloom. Fourteen artists will perform live to keep the crowds moving.
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