Shillong: Meghalaya marked its debut at BIOFACH 2026 in Nuremberg, Germany, positioning itself as an emerging organic sourcing destination from India. The event, regarded as the world’s leading trade fair for organic food and agriculture, saw participation from more than 90 countries, with India recognised as the Country of the Year.
The state used the platform to present its integrated organic ecosystem, covering certification systems, farmer collectivisation, branding initiatives and export-oriented value chains.
The Meghalaya delegation was led by Vijay Kumar D, IAS, Commissioner and Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya and Chairman of MEGNOLIA (Meghalaya Natural and Organic Farming Society for Livelihood and Innovation in Agriculture).
Addressing an international audience, he outlined the state’s organic development roadmap, highlighting a community-driven model supported by institutional mechanisms, ecological sustainability and market linkages.
Officials stated that farmer collectives in the state are being strengthened through enabling policy frameworks and certification systems to align with global organic standards, traceability norms and sustainability benchmarks.
During the event, the delegation held meetings with international buyers, certification agencies, organic traders and development institutions to explore procurement partnerships and long-term collaborations.
Farmers participate in global outreach
A key feature of Meghalaya’s participation was the inclusion of farmer representatives at the global forum.
Trinity Saioo, a turmeric farmer from Jaintia Hills known for promoting high-curcumin Lakadong turmeric, said attending BIOFACH in Germany was a significant experience. “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. This visit helped me understand the importance of quality, certification, and value addition for better markets,” she said.
RingnangKongkal Sangma, a black pepper farmer from Garo Hills, said the event helped him understand international expectations for organic spices. “BIOFACH helped me understand international expectations for organic spices like black pepper. Interactions with global players highlighted the value of traceability and collective marketing. The experience has encouraged me to strengthen farmer-level collaboration,” he said.
The state government said participation of farmers in global forums is part of its strategy to connect producers directly with international markets and enhance their understanding of certification, quality standards and collective branding.
State Organic Mission 2028 targets expansion
Meghalaya’s organic expansion is being implemented under the State Organic Mission 2028, which aims to bring one lakh hectares under certified organic cultivation. The mission includes cluster-based certification through Internal Control Systems (ICS), strengthening of Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), improved aggregation infrastructure, value addition and structured market access.
Anchored by MEGNOLIA, the state is promoting the Meghalaya Collectives Organic brand to position certified produce in premium domestic and international markets, with the objective of improving price realisation for farmers.
Premium products showcased
Meghalaya has been exporting organic products such as turmeric, pineapple, ginger, Khasi mandarin and black pepper to national and international markets.
At BIOFACH 2026, the state set up a dedicated pavilion displaying certified organic ginger, turmeric and sticky rice. Officials said the stall attracted global buyers, organic brands, certification bodies and development institutions.
Meghalaya’s produce was also showcased in value-added forms through partner organisations including IFOAM, along with Mother India, Plantrich and HIFEED. Pineapple products were presented as concentrate, purée and freeze-dried variants, reflecting the state’s efforts to move beyond primary commodities towards diversified, export-ready organic products.
Officials described Meghalaya’s participation in BIOFACH 2026 as a step towards integrating its organic producers into global value chains, while reiterating the government’s focus on building a farmer-centric and environmentally sustainable organic ecosystem.