The Meghalaya Pineapple Festival 2025 was held in the national capital today, showcasing the state’s premium agricultural produce and drawing a strong commitment from the Centre to enhance exports and agro-processing infrastructure in the Northeast.
Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Rural Development Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurated the event, which was attended by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, along with senior officials from both the Centre and the State.
The event began with the exchange of multiple Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) focused on improving pineapple trade and collaboration. A booklet titled “Meghalaya’s Progress in the Agriculture Sector” was also released to highlight recent strides in organic and sustainable farming in the state.
“Meghalaya’s Produce is World-Class”
In his keynote address, Shri Chouhan praised Meghalaya’s farmers for their “hard work and sincerity,” noting that the state’s pineapples were distinguished by their exceptional taste and quality. He added that other produce—such as turmeric, ginger, jackfruit, mushrooms, coffee, and tea—were largely organic and deserved global recognition.
“The Central Government will collaborate with the state to promote agricultural exports beyond the Northeast and abroad,” he said. “The private sector too can play a key role in this transformation.”
The Union Minister reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to the development of the North East, and promised full central support for Meghalaya’s growth in agriculture and allied sectors.
Focus on Agri-Processing and Infrastructure
Chouhan revealed that the state had proposed an ‘airlifting’ mechanism for perishable agri-products—a proposal the Centre was seriously evaluating. Other alternatives such as rail connectivity for produce transport would also be considered.
He emphasized the importance of processing units and said necessary steps were being taken to address shelf-life issues for perishable crops. He informed the audience that scientists from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) were already working on technical solutions, and he would personally visit Meghalaya with a research team soon.
“A development roadmap for agriculture in Meghalaya is in the works, and it will be created in close coordination with the state government,” he added.
Call for Startups and Youth Involvement
In closing, the Union Minister urged young entrepreneurs to explore opportunities in agriculture-based startups, particularly in the Northeast. “We have some of the best natural products in the world—we should be proud to use and promote them,” he said, appealing to consumers and businesses alike.
The festival is part of a broader national initiative to integrate Northeast India into mainstream agri-economy channels through innovation, export readiness, and infrastructure development.
