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Meghalaya to Host First Spice Festival in Mumbai

2026-01-28

The Government of Meghalaya will organise its first Meghalaya Spice Festival from January 30 to February 1, 2026, at Jio World Drive, Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai, to promote the State’s premium spices and strengthen market access, value addition and export linkages for farmers and producer enterprises. The festival is designed to connect farmer producer organisations (FPOs), self-help groups (SHGs), cooperatives and MSMEs from Meghalaya with buyers, exporters, retail chains, HoReCa players, nutraceutical brands and institutional buyers, positioning the State as a reliable source of high-quality, traceable and sustainably produced spices.

The event will highlight Meghalaya’s leading spice portfolio, including GI-tagged Lakadong turmeric, known for its high curcumin content, along with ginger, black pepper, bay leaves, cinnamon and indigenous spice blends. These products reflect the State’s focus on natural and organic farming practices, quality certification, branding and value addition.

Speaking on the initiative, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said the festival aims to create direct market linkages for organic produce and enable farmers and producer groups to access national and global platforms. He noted that the initiative goes beyond promoting individual products to ensuring sustainable livelihoods, stable incomes and long-term economic growth for rural communities, with a vision to position Meghalaya as a hub of high-value, organic and GI-tagged agricultural products.

Conceived as a flagship, market-facing platform, the Meghalaya Spice Festival will feature structured B2B meetings, buyer–seller interactions, culinary demonstrations and farmer-led storytelling. A dedicated Brand Meghalaya pavilion will showcase government initiatives in agriculture, livelihoods and rural enterprise development.

The initiative aligns with the State government’s target to bring one lakh hectares under organic cultivation by 2028 and its broader efforts to build resilient spice value chains that enhance farmer incomes. Hosting the festival in Mumbai, India’s commercial hub, is expected to provide direct access to national and international spice trade networks, processors, retailers and exporters.

Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Timothy Shira said the festival reflects the government’s commitment to strengthening the entire value chain, from production and processing to branding and marketing. By opening new markets and encouraging value addition, the initiative aims to improve farmers’ incomes, enhance economic security and create resilient agri-based enterprises across Meghalaya.

Cultural performances under the Chief Minister’s Meghalaya Grassroots Music Project will add to the festival’s appeal, reinforcing its objective of boosting farmer incomes, promoting rural enterprises and establishing Meghalaya as a leading spice destination.

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