Meghalaya Takes Center Stage in Global Organic Trade: 13 Nations Attend Northeast India Organic Week

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Shillong, India - In a major push to establish Meghalaya as a global hub for organic produce, the state government has successfully launched the inaugural Northeast India Organic Week. This multi-nation platform has brought together 13 countries, including Malaysia, Taiwan, Mongolia, and New Zealand, to explore trade and innovation opportunities in the sector. The event, organized in partnership with the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), the Union Commerce Ministry, and IFOAM-Organics Asia, aims to leverage Meghalaya's rich biodiversity and strong community farming traditions to drive growth in the global organic market. According to officials, the region's growing potential as a gateway for global organic trade was evident in the participation of representatives from several countries. Dr. Saswati Bose, General Manager of APEDA, described the initiative as a 'significant milestone for India and the global organic community'. Meghalaya's Agriculture Commissioner and Secretary, Dr. Vijay Kumar D, highlighted the state's impressive growth rate, driven largely by agriculture. He said, 'Meghalaya is the second-fastest growing state in the country, with a growth rate of 10% over the last four years post-COVID.' The state government has set ambitious targets, including more than doubling farmers' income by 2028 and bringing one lakh hectares of land under certified organic agriculture. A new ginger processing unit worth ₹25 crore has been set up, making it the largest organic spice processing facility in the Northeast. The event also saw the launch of an extraction unit for bio-curcumin tablets, using Lakadong turmeric, which boasts up to 13% curcumin content, one of the finest in the world. The state's 'Green Meghalaya' initiative aims to promote climate action and revive acidic soils through bamboo-based biochar. The Northeast India Organic Week will continue till December 1, featuring a buyer-seller meet, discussions on NPOP regulations, and a showcase of certified organic products from farmer producer organizations, cooperatives, and enterprises across the region.