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Meghalaya Pineapple Festival draws overwhelming public response
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Tuesday, 14 July, 2026, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Our Bureau, Mumbai
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The 4th Meghalaya Pineapple Festival concluded successfully at Dilli Haat in New Delhi, recording unprecedented sales, forging new retail partnerships and attracting an overwhelming public response. The three-day festival reinforced Meghalaya's growing reputation as a leading example of farmer-led integrated value-chain transformation and highlighted the state's efforts to position its premium pineapples as a nationally recognised agricultural brand.
Organised by the Department of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare, Government of Meghalaya, the festival served as a platform to connect farmers directly with organised retailers, food processors, exporters, hospitality businesses and consumers, while showcasing the state's broader vision of making agriculture a driver of inclusive economic growth through value addition, branding and improved market access.
The biggest highlight of this year's festival was the sale of 30 metric tonnes (MT) of fresh Meghalaya pineapples, nearly doubling the 15.4 MT sold during the 2025 edition and almost four times the 7.7 MT sold during the inaugural festival in 2023. The achievement reflects the increasing demand for Meghalaya's premium pineapples, known for their exceptional sweetness, rich aroma and low acidity, while underscoring the success of sustained efforts to strengthen market linkages for farmers.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma thanked the people of Delhi for their enthusiastic support and participation. "On behalf of all the farmers, entrepreneurs and musicians of Meghalaya, I really want to thank all of you for making this festival a great success," Sangma said.
The Chief Minister also joined young performers from the Chief Minister's Meghalaya Grassroots Music Programme (CM-MGMP) in an impromptu musical performance, playing the guitar and singing alongside them. Highlighting the programme's impact, Sangma said the initiative supports over 7,000 artists and has facilitated more than 38,000 performances across the state.
"When you visit Meghalaya, you will find these young musicians performing at various tourist destinations. The government supports them to nurture their talent, create sustainable livelihoods and offer visitors an authentic glimpse of Meghalaya's vibrant culture," he said.
The festival also showcased Meghalaya's wider range of premium agricultural products under the "Meghalaya's Finest" brand. Indigenous products such as Lakadong turmeric, ginger, jackfruit chips and honey witnessed strong demand, with many stalls reporting complete sell-outs. The products were promoted through collaborative efforts involving Meghalaya Collectives, state support groups, local farmers and entrepreneurs.
Building on the momentum generated during the inaugural session, attended by Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region and Communications Jyotiraditya M. Scindia and Chief Minister Sangma, the festival also witnessed the signing of strategic Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with Flipkart and NCDEX e Markets Limited (NeML). The partnerships are expected to strengthen market access for Meghalaya's pineapples while creating new opportunities for other niche agricultural products from the state.
Visitors participated in fresh pineapple tasting sessions, explored value-added products, interacted directly with growers through 'Meet the Growers' sessions and sampled innovative culinary creations featuring Meghalaya's premium pineapples.
Beyond agricultural commerce, the festival celebrated Meghalaya's culture through live performances by artists under the CM-MGMP, alongside exhibitions by local entrepreneurs, self-help groups and artisans. The event offered visitors an immersive experience by integrating agriculture, culture, entrepreneurship and tourism.
For many participating farmers, the festival marked their first visit to Delhi and provided opportunities to establish new business relationships, build confidence in organised retail markets and secure prospects for year-round engagement with institutional buyers.
With record sales, expanding commercial partnerships and growing consumer trust, the 4th Meghalaya Pineapple Festival once again demonstrated the state's commitment to building sustainable, farmer-centric value chains that enhance incomes, promote premium branding and strengthen Meghalaya's position in India's agricultural marketplace.
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