SHILLONG, 9 December 2025: The inaugural Northeast India Organic Week and the 4th World IFOAM Organic Youth Summit concluded in Shillong today with a special address by Meghalaya Chief Minister Shri Conrad K. Sangma. The three-day convergence brought together delegates from 13 countries, youth leaders, policy experts and organic farming practitioners, reinforcing Meghalaya’s ambition to emerge as a global hub for sustainable agriculture and community-driven value chains.
Speaking at the closing session, Shri Sangma said the Government’s development agenda is anchored in farmer welfare and rural upliftment. Describing organic farming as intrinsic to Meghalaya’s identity, he said, “It is about our forefathers, our traditions, and how our people have been farming for centuries.” He announced major infrastructure upgrades, including the extension of the Shillong airport runway to accommodate larger aircraft by 2027.
Placing a strong emphasis on next year’s UN International Year of the Woman Farmer, the Chief Minister highlighted the transformation of women-led collectives in the state. “In 2018, only 3–4% of women were part of Self Help Groups. Today, 95% of rural women are integrated into this network,” he said. He also outlined a plan to promote convergence between agriculture and tourism, supported by a scheme to create 3,000 new homestays with a 75% subsidy to ensure grassroots economic growth.
Shri Sangma also launched the Organic Compendium and the MEGNOLIA website in the presence of distinguished dignitaries, followed by an interaction with farmers and entrepreneurs showcasing their produce.
Smt. Vinita Sudhanshu, General Manager, APEDA, commended Meghalaya for adopting a community-driven, bottom-up agricultural approach. She announced plans to support two Farmer Producer Organisations from the state at the Gulfood event to help them gain global exposure and understand international market requirements.
Ms. Jennifer Chang, Executive Director, IFOAM Asia, described Meghalaya as an emerging global model for holistic organic development. Drawing from her visits to orchards and farms, she praised the state’s farmers for cultivating in harmony with nature. She urged Meghalaya to take a leading role during the upcoming UN International Year of the Woman Farmer and lauded the Government’s organisational efficiency.
Earlier, Smt. Isawanda Laloo, Secretary, Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, said Meghalaya remains “naturally organic by heritage and geography.” She highlighted the state’s partnership with APEDA, which has facilitated exports of over 50 metric tonnes of produce—including Khasi Mandarin, pineapples and ginger—to Gulf countries. She outlined a vision backed by a ₹250-crore investment to develop a globally competitive organic ecosystem. “We are keen and ready to take Meghalaya to the world, and we also welcome the world to Meghalaya,” she said.
Representing farmer enterprises, Smt. Ibalahun Thangkhiew, CEO of Jirang Organic Agro Farmers Producers Company, shared the organisation’s journey since 2017, uniting 433 farmers across 15 villages. She recalled the FPO’s breakthrough in exporting Khasi Mandarin to Dubai in 2022 with support from APEDA and the state horticulture department.
During a buyer interaction, Miss Selina Gan from Malaysia praised Meghalaya’s pineapples as “sweeter than Dole,” underscoring the region's export potential.
The final day included discussions on youth-led advocacy for organic agriculture, focusing on data-driven cultivation, accessible nature-based solutions and the need for community-level education. A plenary session on building stronger global networks witnessed active participation from delegates. Representatives from Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan led a special session on organic agriculture in Central Asia, discussing crop rotation, certification and modern technologies.
The event also highlighted Meghalaya’s policy goal of certifying 1 lakh hectares of organic land by 2028 through a hub-and-spoke model that strengthens distribution, processing and market access.
The dual summit—bringing together the IFOAM World Organic Youth Summit and APEDA’s Buyer-Seller Meet—was jointly organised by the Government of Meghalaya, APEDA, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and IFOAM–Organics Asia. APEDA played a key role in enabling direct engagement between local producers and international buyers, helping farmers secure higher value and improved market visibility.
By hosting this global convergence, Meghalaya has reinforced its “Organic by Tradition” heritage and positioned itself as a leader in the global organic movement, empowering the next generation to navigate climate challenges and emerging market opportunities.
