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Meghalaya’s Pavilion unveils innovative livelihood solutions & local brands
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Saturday, 21 September, 2024, 14 : 00 PM [IST]
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Our Bureau, New Delhi
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As part of efforts to promote market access for products from local farmer collectives, the Directorate of Food Processing, Government of Meghalaya, is participating in 3rd Edition of the World Food India 2024 as a ‘Focus Partner State’.
The Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India, announced the commencement of the third edition of World Food India 2024 from September 19, 2024. With the theme ‘Processing for Prosperity,’ the event is hosting a distinguished array of dignitaries and ministers from various states collectively reflecting a collaborative spirit and commitment to addressing food challenges. The programme intends to highlight the true potential of the food processing sector in transforming India as the global food basket.
Dr Ashish Kumar Bhutani, Secretary, Ministry of Cooperation, Government of India, in the presence of Dr Vijay Kumar D, Commissioner & Secretary, Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department, inaugurated the Meghalaya Pavilion that featured the launch of Meghalaya Collectives with 21 food processing brands and FPOs.
Under this Meghalaya Collectives initiative, the Government of Meghalaya plans to provide a platform for more than 20 exclusive brands of the state to easily access through the domestic and international markets. These brands include value-added products made from renowned Lakadong Turmeric, Khasi Mandarin, Kew Pineapple, Local Ginger, Cashew Nuts, and many other indigenous produces.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also signed between the National Cooperatives of Organic Limited (NCOL), and MEGNOLIA to create a partnership focused on the procurement, marketing, and sale of organic products from Meghalaya. This agreement facilitates MEGNOLIA’s promotion of organic farming and the expansion of the market for local non-perishable organic produce, with NCOL utilising its marketing network to increase product value.
The MoU was signed between Dr Vijay Kumar D, Commissioner & Secretary, Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department, Government of Meghalaya, and Vipul Mittal, managing director of NCOL.
Bhutani said, “The innovativeness and uniqueness of Meghalayan farmers have always impressed me. I am amazed by the type of packaging and processing of the produce. I am sure with the NCOL link, they will be able to take it far and wide. Let us give our farmers, the assurance that every grain grown by them will be purchased at a remunerative price. This is the assurance that we want NCOL to give the farmers, so we can get greater volume for selling in international markets.”
While signing the MoU, Dr Kumar said, “It is a wonderful day for Meghalayan farmers. The state is predominantly tribal, and the communities work collectively with a communitarian culture. Therefore, we though that there should be a brand to represent the culture and the people. There are a number of cooperatives, FPOs, SHG for women. These different collectives create a plethora of products. We want all our farmer collectives to have their own brands, which the government will co-brand. Thus, all the different products will be supported through Meghalaya Collectives, in collaboration with NDDB, NCOL, APEDA, and the Government of India, to provide them with a much larger platform.”
Mittal emphasised, “We look forward to providing market access to certified organic growers, especially to the cooperative network. Our chief promoter is NDDB, which also promotes Mother Dairy. We are also promoted by GCMMF which promotes Amul, we are confident that we can provide huge market access to the farmers of Meghalaya using this marketing muscle.”
Noteworthy that the MEGNOLIA is an initiative, under the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Government of Meghalaya, dedicated to transforming Meghalaya into a hub for organic farming. This aligns with the strategies of the State Governments to convert 100,000 hectare to organic production by 2028, with 24,000 hectare already certified and 8,000 in the process of certification.
Subsequently, APEDA also launched its report on promoting agri-export from Meghalaya.
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