Shillong/New Delhi | Meghalaya will showcase its flagship horticultural produce and seek to expand market opportunities for farmers as the fourth edition of the Meghalaya Pineapple Festival gets underway at Dilli Haat in New Delhi from July 10 to 12.

Organised by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, the festival has evolved into a key platform for connecting pineapple growers from the state with consumers, retailers, food processing companies, institutional buyers and exporters. The initiative aims to strengthen the agricultural value chain while improving income opportunities for farmers.

The event comes at a time when Meghalaya is seeking to position agriculture as a major driver of economic growth. Officials said the festival will facilitate business partnerships, enhance market access and promote value-added products, enabling farmers to secure better returns from their produce.

Meghalaya’s pineapples are widely known for their sweetness, low acidity and high Brix value, characteristics that have helped the fruit gain recognition in domestic and international markets. Exports to destinations in the Gulf region, including Dubai and the United Arab Emirates, have opened new avenues for farmer-producer organisations and strengthened the state’s presence in global fruit markets.

The state government said the festival has delivered measurable economic benefits in recent years. Fresh pineapple sales at the event rose from 7.7 metric tonnes in 2023 to 15.4 metric tonnes in 2025, while farmer groups secured commercial partnerships with leading retail and food-sector companies, creating long-term marketing opportunities beyond the festival itself.

The initiative also complements the Meghalaya State Organic Mission, a ?295-crore programme that seeks to bring one lakh hectares under certified organic cultivation by 2028 and benefit more than 90,000 farmers through cooperatives and producer groups.

The festival will be inaugurated by Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region and Communications, Jyotiraditya Scindia, while Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma will attend as the guest of honour.

A major highlight of this year’s edition will be the signing of Memoranda of Understanding with Flipkart and National E-Markets Limited (NeML), aimed at expanding market access and strengthening supply chains for Meghalaya’s agricultural produce.

Officials said the festival reflects the state’s broader strategy of linking farmers directly with high-value domestic and international markets, encouraging value addition and promoting sustainable agricultural growth.