Shillong: Dilli Haat turns into a hub for Meghalaya’s finest crops this Friday. The 4th Meghalaya Pineapple Festival kicks off, bringing tribal farmers and entrepreneurs from 12 districts straight to the capital. Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia and Chief Minister Conrad Sangma will headline the opening event.
Fresh fruit demand is rising. Consignments to New Delhi jumped from 7.7 metric tonnes in 2023 to over 15 tonnes last year. Organizers now aim to move 20 tonnes of fruit over the three-day run. Farmers and entrepreneurs, many of whom are tribal women, will manage 40 stalls featuring honey, spices, and fresh produce.
This event does more than sell fruit. It serves as a launchpad for long-term business deals with giants like Flipkart, Reliance Retail, and Lulu Group. The state government wants to turn hill-grown, organic harvests into a global brand. As the official release stated, the festival has evolved into an "important platform for industry engagement, facilitating partnerships with organised retailers, e-commerce platforms, food processors, and export houses."
The state is signing an MoU with Flipkart and NeML to lock in market access. For the first time, farmers will take the stage to share their personal stories of growth. Visitors can also find craft zones, pottery, and live music from the Chief Minister’s Grassroots Music Project.
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