NEW DELHI, 30 July 2025: The national capital is set to get a taste of Meghalaya's famed pineapples as the third edition of the Meghalaya Pineapple Fest returns to Dilli Haat, INA, from August 1 to 3.

Organised by the Government of Meghalaya, the three-day festival aims to celebrate the state's flagship fruit while showcasing its rich cultural heritage, indigenous crafts, and grassroots musical talent. A special highlight this year will be live performances by artists under the Meghalaya Grassroots Music Program (CM-MGMP) at the India Gate lawns.

The festival will put a spotlight on the naturally grown Kew pineapples, known for their high sweetness (Brix value), which are cultivated by over 30,000 farmers, primarily in the Ri-Bhoi and Garo Hills districts. These farmers are organised into self-help groups (SHGs) to ensure quality control and traceability.

According to a government statement, the state's efforts to create a robust supply chain have led to significant international market access. Meghalaya has exported over 757 metric tonnes of processed pineapples to the European Union for the baby food industry. Recently, a consignment of premium pineapples, flagged off by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman during a visit to the state, was featured in Lulu Hypermarkets in Dubai.

Officials attribute this success to a comprehensive support system that includes over 500 farmer collectives, interest-free loans, cold storage facilities, processing units, and dedicated farm-to-airport logistics. The state's flagship initiative, FOCUS, has been particularly instrumental in providing marketing grants and strengthening farmer-market linkages.

The previous editions of the festival have drawn praise from the highest levels, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauding the event as a celebration of India's "diverse agricultural heritage" that "empowers our farmers."