Meghalaya Pineapple Fest 2024: Second edition concludes in the presence of Meghalaya CM

Over 6.5 tonnes of organically grown sweet pineapples were sold

MUMBAI / DELHI, 15 July 2024: The second edition of Meghalaya Pineapple Fest 2024, organised by the Government of Meghalaya, held at the iconic Dilli Haat, concluded on Sunday. Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Conrad K Sangma visited the Meghalaya Farmers' Market and engaged with farmers and entrepreneurs, exploring the exhibits of the festival.

Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Shri Conrad K Sangma underscored the government's investment of INR 5.63 crore in infrastructure and INR 1.39 crore in working capital, with Rs. 78 lakhs allocated specifically for pineapples until 2023.

These efforts have resulted in tremendous achievements, including the export of 4.36 MT of pineapples to Lulu Group Abu Dhabi. Close to 300 MT are also exported to EU countries after being freeze-dried at the PRIME Hub in Ri Bhoi District. Additionally, these initiatives have increased farmers' income by 30-122 percent, directly impacting 300 plus farmers and indirectly benefiting more than 5000.

The Chief Minister shed light on significant developments in the pineapple industry and informed that 11 Collective Marketing Centres (CMC) were set up for trading fresh pineapples. He also informed that 338 Integrated Village Cooperative Societies (IVCS) and 28 Organic Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) have been established to subvert the influence of middlemen and price fluctuations in the fresh fruits segment of the market. With upcoming initiatives like the launch of Agri Response Vehicles, Warehouses, and Farmer's markets, these co-operatives act as formidable trading partners for institutional buyers and as a capable exporter handling logistic issues.

With the aim of doubling farmers' income, the government has initiated mission-mode interventions for high-value commercial crops, Sangma stated. These interventions, covering Turmeric, Ginger, Mushroom, Apiculture, Spice, Khasi Mandarin, Pineapple and more, are designed to be holistic, community-centric endeavors with the farmer at the heart of it all, he stated.

He also affirmed the support by the State government to farmer's collectives with interest-free working capital loans totaling INR 78.82 Lakhs have been provided in 2023-24 to aggregate a target volume of 540MT, eliminating the exploitative practice and, gap funding for logistics while marketing the produce beyond state borders with INR 8.12 Lakhs disbursed for trial marketing of pineapple supporting a trading volume of 22.3 MT in 2023.

The establishment of six processing units with a capacity of 1160MT/year, supported by an investment of INR 5.63 crore, has enabled the manufacturing of juices, concentrates, and pineapple candies. Sangma also mentioned exploring Community Public Private Partnerships (CPPP) to make the interventions holistic.

Meghalaya is promoting Umdihar IVCS to partner with IQF Pvt Ltd, Karnataka, which is an export-oriented enterprise to set up a frozen fruits processing unit under the CPPP model. The Umdihar PRIME Hub has processed 400 MT (2023-24) aggregating from 24 Co-operative societies across the state. The individually quick-frozen pineapple cubes are exported to European markets as ingredients in baby food.

The 5-day-long festival witnessed the presence of thousands of visitors savoring the state's organically grown pineapples and witnessing live performances by Meghalaya Grassroot Music Project (MGMP) artistes-ALIVE, Leonard H Syiemlieh, Ahaia. A remarkable sale of 6.5 tonnes (approx.) of organically grown sweet pineapples was sold from Day 1 to Day 4 of the Pineapple Festival. Meghalaya exported 9-10 tonnes for the Pineapple Festival 2024.

The Pineapple Festival has not only highlighted the agricultural excellence of Meghalaya but has also provided a vibrant cultural experience through music and arts. The collaboration with MGMP artists added a unique and lively dimension to the festival, drawing in crowds and fostering a deeper appreciation for the region's cultural richness.