Shillong: Meghalaya govt will host the state’s first-ever Meghalaya Spice Festival in Mumbai, from Jan 30 to Feb 1 where it aims to showcase state’s premium spices, strengthen market access and export linkages for farmers, boost rural enterprises, and establish the state as a leading “spice destination.”CM Conrad K Sangma said, “Meghalaya’s strength lies in its farmers and the rich natural resources of our land. Through initiatives like the Spice Festival, we are creating direct market linkages for our organic produce, enabling farmers and producer groups to access national and global platforms. Our vision is to position Meghalaya as a hub of high-value, organic and GI-tagged agricultural products, driven by quality, value addition and entrepreneurship.”
The initiative aligns with the govt’s mission to bring one lakh hectares under organic cultivation by 2028 and its efforts to build sustainable spice value chains.The festival will feature Meghalaya’s leading spice products, including GI-tagged Lakadong turmeric — renowned for its high curcumin content — alongside ginger, black pepper, bay leaves, cinnamon, and indigenous spice blends.According to the agriculture and farmers’ welfare department, “These products reflect the state’s focus on natural and organic farming, quality certification, branding and value addition.”Designed as a flagship market-facing initiative, the festival will host B2B meetings, buyer–seller interactions, culinary demonstrations, and farmer-led storytelling. A special Brand Meghalaya pavilion will highlight government initiatives in agriculture, livelihoods, and rural enterprise development.Agriculture minister Timothy Shira said, “Hosting the festival in Mumbai — India’s commercial hub — provides direct access to national and international spice trade networks, processors, retailers and exporters. This platform will empower our farmers to compete in premium markets while preserving the authenticity of Meghalaya’s organic and indigenous spices.”
