New Delhi: Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, graced the ‘Meghalaya Pineapple Festival – 2025’ in New Delhi today. The event showcased Meghalaya’s agricultural richness and featured the presence of Meghalaya Chief Minister Shri Conrad K. Sangma, alongside senior officials from both the Centre and the state government.
🍍 Showcasing Meghalaya’s Agricultural Excellence
The festival opened with the exchange of several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) focused on boosting pineapple production, processing, and export. A dedicated booklet titled ‘Meghalaya’s Progress in Agriculture Sector’ was also released by the Union Minister.
In his keynote address, Shri Chouhan praised the distinct taste and superior quality of Meghalaya’s pineapples and other organic produce such as turmeric, ginger, tea, jackfruit, mushrooms, and spices. He lauded the hard work and sincerity of Meghalaya’s farmers, highlighting that most of the state’s produce is organic and holds great potential for global promotion.
✈️ Plans for Aerial Export & Infrastructure Development
The Union Agriculture Minister shared that plans are underway to airlift agricultural products from Meghalaya to national and international markets. He acknowledged that the state government has formally proposed this logistics initiative, which the Centre is seriously considering. Rail transport alternatives will also be explored.
He further revealed that the Central Government is working closely with the Meghalaya administration to create a robust export ecosystem and increase per hectare productivity of crops like pineapple. Processing infrastructure will be a priority, with support from both the public and private sectors.
🧪 Science-Driven Solutions for Agricultural Challenges
Reflecting on his recent visit to the state during the ‘Vikasit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan’, Shri Chouhan shared that Meghalaya’s farmers raised concerns about low shelf life and post-harvest losses. He assured that scientists from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) have been directed to find viable solutions.
“I will soon revisit Meghalaya with a team of scientists to assess ground realities and implement solutions,” he said.
🌱 Youth, Startups, and Organic Consumption
Shri Chouhan urged the youth to take up agriculture-based startups, especially in the organic and food processing sectors. He also appealed to the citizens of India to use Meghalaya’s organic products, emphasizing their unmatched quality.
“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Central Government is fully committed to the development of the Northeast,” Shri Chouhan reiterated.
He concluded by emphasizing the need for empathy-driven innovation and self-reliance in agriculture, urging stakeholders across the country to support and embrace Meghalaya’s unique agri-heritage.
✅ Conclusion of Meghalaya Pineapple Festival
The Meghalaya Pineapple Festival 2025 has set the stage for transforming the state into a major hub for organic agriculture and exports. With strong Centre-state collaboration, logistical innovations, and the commitment to scientific intervention, Meghalaya’s farmers are poised to benefit from national and international market linkages.
Source: PIB
For more real-time updates, visit Channel 6 Network.
