GUWAHATI: The Meghalaya government on Friday, July 10, signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with e-commerce platform Flipkart and the National E-Market Services Limited (NeML) to expand market access for the state's pineapple growers.
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The agreements were signed during the inauguration of the fourth Meghalaya Pineapple Festival at Dilli Haat in New Delhi. The three-day festival is organised by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare to promote Meghalaya's premium pineapples and connect farmers with organised retail, exporters and institutional buyers.
According to the government, the partnerships with Flipkart and NeML are aimed at strengthening marketing and distribution channels, enabling pineapple growers to reach organised retail networks, institutional buyers and digital marketplaces across the country.
The festival was inaugurated by Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region and Communications Jyotiraditya M. Scindia in the presence of Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, senior government officials, industry representatives, exporters, retailers and farmer collectives.
Meghalaya is one of the country's leading producers of premium-quality pineapples, known for their high sweetness and low acidity. The fruit is cultivated across Ri Bhoi, Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills and Garo Hills and provides livelihoods to thousands of farming households.
Officials said the government has been working to strengthen the pineapple value chain by investing in farmer producer organisations, aggregation centres, processing facilities and market linkages. These initiatives are intended to improve value realisation for farmers by promoting value-added products and expanding access to premium markets.
The fourth Meghalaya Pineapple Festival, which concludes on July 12, also features exhibitions, buyer-seller interactions and cultural performances aimed at promoting the state's agricultural produce and local enterprises.