Shillong, Nov 29: The first Northeast India Organic Week was formally inaugurated today at Courtyard by Marriott, Shillong bringing together delegates and buyers from 13 countries to boost trade and innovation.
The four-day event is being organised in partnership with the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), the Union Commerce Ministry and IFOAM-Organics Asia.
Representatives from Malaysia, Taiwan, Mongolia, Indonesia, New Zealand and several other countries are participating at the event, signalling the region’s growing potential as a gateway for global organic trade.
APEDA Chairman Abhishek Dev highlighted the significance of strengthening the global visibility of Northeast India’s organic produce. He said Meghalaya has a significant export potential in organic and emphasised the necessity of partnership with state governments to ensure last mile connectivity with all the stakeholders in the value chain.
IFOAM-Organics Asia Executive Director Jennifer Chang said the event marks a significant milestone in the global organic movement. She praised the Khasi mandarin orchard in Mawphu and said farmers there are truly “stewards of nature” and were “organic by default.”
IFOAM Adviser Brendan Hoare emphasised the organic movement is a borderless, collective mission. He said the event is a catalyst for lasting connections and global sustainability.
Following the inaugural sessions, dignitaries officially inaugurated the exhibition area, showcasing the finest certified organic products from FPOs, cooperatives, and enterprises across the Northeast. The area presented a dedicated Meghalaya Organic Pavilion, featuring stalls from Meghalaya Collectives, Meghalayan Age, PRIME and kiosks of APEDA, Directorate of Food Processing, National Co-operative Exports Limited, MoVCDNE, Tea Board India and others.
CRISIL Associate Director Priyanka Uday in her presentation described Meghalaya as a growing powerhouse in India’s organic sector.
She said the state’s horticulture landscape is witnessing robust growth in organic ginger exports to Dubai that have reached 15 MT between the year 2019-23 while black pepper sales have doubled.
Driven by initiatives from bodies like the Jirang FPC, distinctive produce such as GI-tagged Mandarins has successfully entered the Gulf market through the Lulu Group, she said.
The afternoon session included a buyer-seller meet and sensitisation and capacity building programme on NPOP regulation and labelling norms.
The Northeast India Organic Week will conclude on December 1 to strengthen global market linkages for organic products, promote sustainable and regenerative agriculture, and foster youth leadership through dialogue and international collaboration.
