Meghalaya Pineapple Festival concludes, over 6.5 tons sold
Guwahati: The second edition of the Meghalaya Pineapple Festival, held in New Delhi's Dilli Haat, concluded successfully, marking a significant achievement for the state's pineapple industry.
The five-day event attracted a large audience eager to try Meghalaya's organically grown pineapples.
A remarkable 6.5 tons of pineapples were sold during the festival, showcasing strong demand.
Also Read: Assam: Businessman shot dead in Goalpara, robbery suspected
Meghalaya exported an additional 9-10 tons specifically for the festival.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma highlighted government investments in infrastructure, working capital, and specific pineapple-related projects totalling Rs 7.1 crore.
These efforts have led to impressive outcomes, including the export of over 4.36 metric tons of pineapples to a major buyer in Abu Dhabi.
Also Read: Manipur: Five suspected KCP-N cadres nabbed in Kakching
Additionally, nearly 300 tons of pineapples are now being freeze-dried and exported to European Union countries.
Over 300 farmers have directly benefited, with positive impacts reaching over 5,000 people indirectly.
The Chief Minister also announced the establishment of 11 Collective Marketing Centres (CMCs) to facilitate fresh pineapple trade.
He also revealed the creation of 338 Integrated Village Cooperative Societies (IVCS) and 28 Organic Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs). These organizations empower farmers by reducing the influence of middlemen and price fluctuations.