Resubelpara, July 6: In a major boost to Meghalaya's horticulture sector, farmers from North Garo Hills celebrated the dispatch of their first consignment of 10 metric tonnes of premium-quality pineapples to Delhi on Sunday, marking a significant step towards expanding market access and improving farmers' incomes.
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| Farmers from North Garo Hills pose with the first 10-metric-tonne consignment of premium Meghalaya pineapples flagged off for Delhi under the Dijako Farmer Producer Company Limited's market linkage initiative supported by MNREDA and the ADB-assisted Agri Project on July 6, 2026. (DIPR Meghalaya) |
The initiative is being implemented by the Dijako Farmer Producer Company Limited (FPC) with active market support from the Meghalaya New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (MNREDA) under the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-supported Agri Project.
The consignment was formally flagged off at a ceremony attended by more than 100 pineapple farmers, including a large number of women farmers, from across North Garo Hills. The event was inaugurated by MNREDA Chairman and Kharkutta MLA Rupert M. Momin, who described the initiative as another milestone in strengthening direct market access for farmers in Meghalaya.
Speaking at the programme, Momin said the state has already witnessed encouraging results through similar initiatives. He noted that under the same programme, more than 150 metric tonnes of ginger had previously been successfully marketed to premium export destinations.
"Today, we have taken another important step by launching premium pineapple marketing, which will help farmers receive better prices through direct market linkages," he said.
The shipment consists of carefully graded, high-quality pineapples sourced directly from local growers. By connecting farmers directly with major wholesale markets in Delhi, the initiative aims to eliminate unnecessary intermediaries, enabling producers to secure better returns for their produce.
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Representatives of the Dijako Farmer Producer Company Limited said the inaugural shipment marks the beginning of a broader marketing programme. They added that plans are already in place to transport significantly larger quantities of Meghalaya's premium pineapples to major markets across India during the peak harvest season.
Officials said the initiative showcases the growing success of collective marketing through Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs) and demonstrates how institutional support under the ADB-assisted Agri Project is helping create sustainable livelihood opportunities for small and marginal farmers.
The programme is also expected to strengthen Meghalaya's horticulture value chain, enhance market competitiveness and improve the earning potential of pineapple growers in North Garo Hills, reinforcing the state's position as a producer of high-quality horticultural products.
