Shillong, Feb 18: Meghalaya presented its organic farming ecosystem to international buyers and certification agencies at BIOFACH 2026 in Nuremberg, marking the state’s first participation in the global organic trade fair.
The event, held in Nuremberg and attended by participants from over 90 countries, provided a platform for Meghalaya to position itself as an emerging organic sourcing destination from the Northeast. India was recognised as the ‘Country of the Year’ at the fair.
The delegation was led by Vijay Kumar D, Commissioner and Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya and Chairman of the Meghalaya Natural and Organic Farming Society for Livelihood and Innovation in Agriculture (MEGNOLIA). Addressing stakeholders, he outlined the state’s organic development roadmap, stating that Meghalaya’s model is anchored in “institutional strength, ecological sustainability, and market integration”.
Officials said the state highlighted a structured ecosystem built around farmer collectives, certification mechanisms and export-oriented value chains. Meetings were held with international buyers, certification bodies and organic traders to explore procurement partnerships and long-term collaborations.
Farmer representatives were also part of the delegation, a move the government described as an effort to directly link producers with international markets.
Trinity Saioo, a turmeric farmer from Jaintia Hills known for Lakadong turmeric, described the visit as transformative. “Coming to Germany and attending BIOFACH was like a dream come true for me. I never imagined that organic turmeric grown in our fields would be seen and appreciated globally,” she said, adding that the exposure underscored the importance of quality, certification and value addition.
Ringnang Kongkal Sangma, a black pepper farmer from Garo Hills, said the experience helped her understand “international expectations for organic spices like black pepper” and highlighted the importance of traceability and collective marketing.
The participation aligns with the rollout of the State Organic Mission 2028, which aims to bring one lakh hectares under certified organic cultivation. The programme focuses on cluster-based certification through Internal Control Systems, strengthening Farmer Producer Organisations, improving aggregation infrastructure and expanding market access.
Through MEGNOLIA, the state is promoting the ‘Meghalaya Collectives Organic’ brand to enhance price realisation and expand access to premium domestic and overseas markets.
Turmeric, pineapple, ginger, Khasi mandarin and black pepper are among Meghalaya’s organic products that have found buyers beyond the region. At BIOFACH, certified organic ginger, turmeric and sticky rice were showcased at a dedicated pavilion, drawing interest from buyers and certification agencies.
Officials said the participation forms part of a broader strategy to integrate Meghalaya’s organic producers into global value chains while meeting international standards on quality, traceability and sustainability.
