Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Shillong: The fourth Meghalaya Pineapple Festival wrapped up on July 12 at Dilli Haat in New Delhi. The event moved 30 metric tonnes of fresh fruit. This nearly doubles the 15.4 MT sold in 2025 and dwarfs the 7.7 MT from the 2023 debut. The Meghalaya Department of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare ran the three-day show. It pulled in farmers, retailers, exporters, and food processors.
Demand for the state's low-acidity, aromatic fruit is climbing. The festival pushed this growth by locking in fresh retail partnerships. State officials signed formal deals with Flipkart and NCDEX e Markets Limited to help farmers reach national buyers. These MoUs aim to clear a wider path for niche goods including Lakadong turmeric, ginger, jackfruit chips, and honey. Many items sold out entirely.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma closed the event with a stage performance. He played with artists from the Chief Minister's Meghalaya Grassroots Music Programme. This initiative currently backs more than 7,000 musicians and has powered over 38,000 performances statewide. Sangma thanked the public for the turnout. "On behalf of all the farmers, entrepreneurs and musicians of Meghalaya, I really want to thank all of you for making this festival a great success," he said.
First-time visitors from local farmer groups and self-help groups walked away with new business contacts. The event mixed agricultural trade with tourism and cultural displays. Government planners intend to use this platform to sharpen agricultural value chains. They want higher incomes for growers and a permanent footprint for Meghalaya brands in big city markets.
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